Photo Courtesy of Len Redkoles, NHLI via Getty Images
Considering the title, Danny Briere has effectively become a Special Assistant General Manager to Chuck Fletcher. Joining current Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr in a similar sphere within the Flyers upper management brass.
“I’m very happy to add Danny to our hockey operations team in a full-time role,” said Fletcher in the press release. “His insight and experience from 25 years in professional hockey, as well as first-hand knowledge of the Philadelphia Flyers, is a valuable asset for our organization and I look forward to working closely with him on a day-to-day basis.”
“I’m excited for this new opportunity to join the Flyers hockey operations department,” said Briere. “Philadelphia is a place that I’ve called home for a long time and have had some of the most memorable moments in my career. I want to thank Chuck Fletcher and Dave Scott for their confidence and support over the last several years, and I look forward to helping them continue to build a successful team on and off the ice.”
“On and off the ice, Danny has been an incredible representative of the Philadelphia Flyers for more than a decade, and I’m thrilled to have him join our hockey operations department full time in this new role,” said Flyers Governor Dave Scott.
It remains to be seen exactly what Briere will be doing as the special assistant to Chuck Fletcher, however one can presume that it will include a variety of duties. Whether it be in hockey operations or business focused Briere is still the active General Manager of the ECHL Maine Mariners which has allowed him to accumulate experience in a hockey driven managerial position. Therefore providing him several years of knowledge to draw upon in this new opportunity with the Flyers.
Due to Briere’s ability to dissect the NHL game through the lense of a former player it’s likely that Fletcher and Flahr will draw on his opinion in a multitude of facets. The most prominent being his talent evaluation of both NHLers, AHLers and junior level prospects.
It would be unfathomable to think that the Flyers front office would not try to utilize Briere’s outlook on the current roster, players performances, talent level and potential, considering his wealth of hockey knowledge. Using a former player in Briere who is recently removed from the current day NHL game could be a valuable tool and asset in the Flyers evaluation methods of their entire roster of players organizationally (AHL and junior level included). Essentially, providing a fresh perspective that understands what it takes to win in the modern day NHL to the Philadelphia Flyers front office management staff.
Another interesting aspect of this promotion for Briere is the possibility that his former relationships as a player can bring forth certain advantages for the Flyers moving forward. An example of this may be negotiations with free agents. Briere’s ability to sell a player on the history and respectability of the Flyers franchise as a whole, as well as, donning the orange and black jersey, only further demonstrates his added value in such a role. As a former free agent himself who once chose Philadelphia as his destination to play and live, his own association with such a process has the potential to be a benefit to the Flyers in the free agent market.
There is also a strong possibility of Briere already having personal relationships with some of these future free agents as a result of being a former player and having played with them. He may have a hand in negotiating and persuading them to sign a contract with the Flyers in this new position and having a familiarity with the party you are conducting business with is typically helpful.
Additionally, this could have an effect when discussing trades in light of, a large number of current NHL General Manager’s and Assistant General Manager’s having played in the NHL with Briere. In a setting such as this, having these types of relationships with other managers you are ultimately going to be discussing business with can only be looked at as another advantage for the Flyers.
When assessing the overall impact of Daniel Briere being named the special assistant to Chuck Fletcher it’s evident that the positives Briere is bringing to the forefront far outweigh the negatives. From a hockey operations standpoint Briere holds an abundance of knowledge about the NHL game. His player evaluation skills should be a significant asset for the Flyers moving forward. Not to mention his experience as a Flyer and comprehension of what it takes to win in the present day NHL. In regards to the Flyers shaping an identity as a team, having a former NHL player in a managerial role who understands the modern NHL game and the complexities behind creating a winning atmosphere cannot be understated enough.
Particularly, putting Briere into this role affords him the opportunity to grasp what being the GM of an NHL team is like. Allowing Briere to learn from an established and knowledgeable General Manager in Chuck Fletcher will only propel him to become a better and more well rounded executive. Which in this case will benefit the Philadelphia Flyers.
One thing can be certain however, especially in a sports market like Philadelphia where a propensity for continued losses and mediocrity is not taken lightly. Chuck Fletcher will only have so many more chances to build this Flyers roster, prospect pool, front office staff, hockey operations staff and player development staff before the reigns are given to the former Flyer Daniel Briere.
