Danny Briere is not messing around when it comes to the No. 21 pick in the NHL Draft. The Flyers general manager basically said everything is negotiable.
Speaking with Kevin Kurz of The Athletic, Briere made it clear the pick could absolutely be moved for the right player. His exact words? “Absolutely. Everything is on the table. It has to make sense.”
That doesn’t mean they’re shopping it like a yard sale. But it does mean they’re listening. And for a team still working its way back into contention, that flexibility matters.
What Would It Take to Move the Pick?
This isn’t a situation where Philly is one piece away. Briere knows that. The Flyers aren’t looking to rent a player for a season or two. If they trade that pick, they want someone young who can grow with the core they’re building.
“I’m not too keen on trading future first-round picks because you never know where it can go,” Briere said. “We’re not a Colorado or Carolina at this point. Where you know you’re going to be finishing high and picking late first.”
That’s a pretty honest read of where they’re at. The Flyers showed some real promise this season. They have a solid foundation. But they’re not the Avalanche or Hurricanes yet. They’re still a few steps away.
But if a star became available? Briere would move off the pick fast. And probably throw in more to get that deal done.
The Long Game Is Still the Plan
The Flyers have stockpiled picks and prospects over the last few years. That’s been the whole strategy. Now they have to actually let those guys play.
“All those draft picks that we’ve had in the past, we have to make room for them eventually. They have to play,” Briere said. “Having only four picks this year, I’m OK with because we’ve drafted so much the last few years.”
That’s the tricky part for any rebuilding team. You collect assets. Then you have to give them ice time and see what you’ve got. The Flyers are at that stage now. They only have four picks in this draft, which is light by recent standards. But Briere seems fine with it because the pipeline is already full.
If they can flip the 21st pick for a young forward or defenseman who fits the timeline, that might be smarter than drafting another teenager who needs three years to develop. Either way, Briere is keeping his options open. The door isn’t just cracked. It’s wide open.
Leave a Comment