How Danny Briere’s Concussion Could Alter Flyers’ Mindset as Trade Deadline Approaches

By Patrick Powell

On Saturday, the Flyers defeated their most hated rival, the New Jersey Devils, convincingly, by a score of 4-1. Struggling center Claude Giroux recorded two assists. All-star snub (currently) Scott Hartnell registered two power play goals. Youngster Wayne Simmonds put forth his first three point effort in the NHL. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov allowed only one goal in his second consecutive start. Despite all these accolades a general feeling of confidence heading into Sunday’s matinee affair with the Eastern Conference leading Boston Bruins, the Flyers now have to deal with yet another rash of injuries.

Forward Jaromir Jagr left Saturday’s game in the first period with a “lower-body injury.” Widespread speculation is that he re-injrured his groin.

Later in the game, Zac Rinaldo went down. My Italian Grandmother always says that bad things happen in threes. Well, my Grandmother’s words proved prophetic for the Flyers as the most devasting news began to circulate: forward Danny Briere suffered a concussion. Replays show that the injury most likely occured as a result of a shoulder to head hit by Devils’ rugged defenseman, Anton Volchenchov.

The timing of the injury is horrific for the Flyers not only in the short-term as the Flyers are about to face the Bruins but also because of the potential effect to Claude Giroux.

On Friday morning, Giroux met with head coach, Peter Laviolette. In that meeting, Laviolette apparently asked Giroux to relax and trust his linemates instead of trying to force plays. Part of Laviolette’s argument is that other lines, particular the second line ccentered by Danny Briere would provide scoring assistance. Presently, Giroux knows his support will need to come from rookies. This may lead to more ragged and tight play by Giroux.

The fact that the Flyers need a tough, physical defenseman has not changed. In my prior piece, I lobbied that, if the Flyers were to consummate a trade for defenseman Luke Schenn, they should package him to Nashville for Shea Weber, who can provide leadership, defensive organization, physicality, and offensive prowess. In other words, he is one guy who can fulfill all of injured Chris Pronger’s responsibilities.

Briere’s injury, if serious, may require the Flyers to place Briere on long term injury reserve. The advantage to that is that his pro-rated cap hit for the remainder of the season could be filled by the pro-rated salary of a newly acquired player.

As a result, the Flyers may want to consider a tough defenseman, a top six forward, and a fourth line faceoff specialist at the deadline. They will have approximately $3.4 million in cap space (not including a potential LTIR situation for Briere) at the deadline.

The Flyers should seriously consider all of the following players:

1. Hal Gill, Montreal Canadiens’ defenseman. Gill plays with a nasty edge and has built a reputation as a shutdown defenseman. He won the Stanley Cup in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His full season cap hit is $2.25 million.

2. Radim Vrbata, Phoenix Coyotes’ forward. Vrbata’s full season cap hit is $3 million. He has 22 goals (4 on power play) this season and is playing at plus-8 clip. The Flyers could use the additional shot in the arm on the power play. He is Czech, so he should fit in well with Jaromir Jagr and Jakub Voracek. Vrbata is under contract through the 2014 season, and depending how the cap changes with a potential new collective bargaining agreement, the Flyers may have to deal Vrbata or creat cap space in order to keep him for next season. For the Flyers, the goal is to win the Stanley Cup in 2012, so those details can be figured out in the summer.

3. Samuel Pahlsson, Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward. Pahlsson is a defensive stalwart known for his ability to win faceoffs. He has won over half his faceoffs this season, and his prowess in the dots was a huge reason for the Anaheim Ducks’ Stanley Cup run in 2007. Pahlsson is a pending unrestricted free agent with a full season cap hit of $2.65. He is lefthanded, which means that he can take the important draws on the left side of the ice while Claude Giroux can continue to take the crucial draws on the right side of the ice.