FLYERS NEWS

The Flyers made some big moves today. First they signed free agent center Daniel Briere to an 8 year $52 million deal. Briere co-captained the Sabres to the best record in the NHL last season and a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals. Along the way Briere led the Sabres and finished 10th in the league with 95 points, off 32 goals and 63 assists. He was also the MVP of last year's All-star game in his first ever trip there. Not along after signing Briere, they swung a 4 player deal with the Edmonton Oilers, sending Geoff Sanderson and Joni Pitkanen, to Edmonton in excahnge for veteran defenseman and team captain Jason Smith and winger Joffrey Lupul. Lupul was really just a throw in, and may or may not help to improve the Flyers, but Smith sures up the Flyers defense ,and Briere does likewise to the offensive attack. There is thus a very good chance the Flyers could be right back in the playoffs next year, after finishing dead last in the NHL last year.