Photo Credit: NHL.com
The term “Rebuild” was not allowed to be used from the prior regime of the Flyers front office. From the former Board of Governor Dave Scott on down, the word “Rebuild”was like a curse word that wasn’t allowed to be used.
Enter Dan Hilferty, Keith Jones, and Danny Briere front office team that have collaborated to repair the relationship between the front office and fans. In doing so, all three throw around the word “Rebuild”, and use it loosely.
The good thing is they have shown good faith that this is indeed a rebuild with trading Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Yes one trade, one trade has made good on that promise that the Flyers are enduring a rebuild. Now it’s time for Briere and company to finish the job.
Briere had little to no experience at the NHL level as an exec, but he is all too familiar with how to build a successful team through a proper rebuild. Yesterday, Briere said he wants to surround Matvei Michkov with a good group of veterans, so he understands what it takes to be a pro. That’s one main reason they were inactive when day one of free agency started. He also admitted to having no money to spend on day one, as well.
“We are still trying. We are having some discussions with a few teams on a few different things,” Briere said. Now caution Flyers fans, this does not mean a trade is imminent, he’s just saying he’s trying his best to see what is out there to make this team better. However, he will not make a trade just to make a trade, he will not sign someone that he doesn’t feel would be a fit with this young nucleus and culture that the Flyers are building, just to sign someone.
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There is a much bigger picture, then one can see at the naked eye. The Flyers are not building a playoff team, they are actually trying to build a cup contender for years to come. That is another reason they are inactive during free agency, “We are not focusing on making the playoffs,” Briere said. “The focus is on the big picture to build a Cup contender. That’s not going to happen in one a year or two.”
Briere and the front office have done their due diligence on next year’s draft already, and they realize that next year’s draft is more top heavy than the 2024 draft class. It’s great to get ahead of the eight ball, and they are accumulating assets for next year’s draft, “According to our scouts, it’s going to be a good draft next year, top heavy.”
It is wise not to spend money if you don’t have it, to which the Flyers are pinned against the cap here with having approximately $2.32 million of cap space, per Cap Friendly. They also sit with 42 contractual contracts out of 50, so that also has to be taken into account. This provides the organization with more wiggle room to call-up or send down people to Lehi during the season. Briere is doing his due diligence with this club, and that’s something Flyers fans can appreciate.
