[Chris]

Briere Is Philly Bound!

The Philadelphia Flyers have made a big splash to open the offseason. GM Paul Holmgren made good on his promise to be "creative" in the first hours of free agency, signing Buffalo's Daniel Briere to an eight year deal worth a healthy $52 million dollars. The deal will average $6.5 million a season against the salary cap, with the first year paying him $10 million. The contract also features a no movement clause.

Briere is coming off of a career season with the Buffalo Sabres, who advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. He racked up 95 points in the regular season, and 15 points in the postseason.

The Philadelphia Flyers have also announced that they have acquired 6’1”, 205-pound right wing Joffrey Lupul (JAWF-ree LOO-puhl) and 6’3”, 215-pound defenseman Jason Smith from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Joni Pitkanen, left wing Geoff Sanderson and a third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, according General Manager Paul Holmgren.


Joffrey Lupul
Lupul, 23, recorded 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points and 45 penalty minutes in 81 regular season games for the Oilers last season. He was tied for second on the team in goals with 16. He was acquired by Edmonton, along with Ladislav Smid, a first round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, a second round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and future considerations from Anaheim in exchange for Chris Pronger on July 3, 2006.

In three NHL seasons with Anaheim and Edmonton (2003-04 through 2006-07), Lupul has registered 57 goals and 58 assists for 115 points and 121 penalty minutes in 237 regular season games. He set career highs for goals (28), assists (25) and points (53) in a season with Anaheim during the 2005-06 season. He was originally drafted by Anaheim in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Jason Smith
Smith, 33, posted 11 points (2G,9A) and 103 penalty minutes in 82 regular season games for Edmonton last season. He led the team in blocked shots (228, second in the NHL) and hits (151). Smith, the Oilers’ captain, had led the Oilers in hits and blocked shots in each of the last five seasons that the statistics have been recorded by the NHL (1999-2000 through 2001-02 and 2005-06 through 2006-07). He was third on the team in penalty minutes with 103.

Over parts of 13 career NHL seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton (1993-94 through 2006-07), Smith has recorded 39 goals and 119 assists for 158 points and 966 penalty minutes in 868 regular season games. He was originally drafted by New Jersey in the first round (18th overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

Stay tuned to HIVE for the latest on this and other Philadelphia Flyers free agent news.

[Jlg-28]

awesome awesome new,s this is a great move and I hope it pays off for us next season, now the question is will they try to add anyone else or or they done

[Ryan20]

8yrs $52million. NTC (No Trade Clause) $10million first year. $6.5million average after.

[Best_in_74]

Awesome news. I can't wait for this team to hit the ice in October. I think they might add a few minor people but I think we're done. Anyone know how much more cap room we have left after the Briere signing?

[Chris]

Let me do some calculating, I'm sure it's up somewhere too..

[Scrooge]

CHRISTMAS IN JULY BABY!

[dutch74]

great... now the suspense is over... let's get the season started already!!!

[Scrooge]

Originally Posted by dutch74

great... now the suspense is over... let's get the season started already!!!

You guys know, a HIVE tailgating party is NECESSARY now.

Make your travel plans. This is gonna be a hell'uva season.

[Asha]

Awsome news!!

[Jlg-28]

nice sig Andy

[tmcc]

So freakin' puumped!!!

[tmcc]

Playoff bound for sure this year!

[Asha]

Originally Posted by Andy

You guys know, a HIVE tailgating party is NECESSARY now.

Make your travel plans. This is gonna be a hell'uva season.

Lets get planning on this.

[Jlg-28]

Originally Posted by Eric

Lets get planning on this.

I'll deffinitly need to make an apperance

[shaunhagg1]

hell yeah!!! awesome news. I didn't want gomez anyway..i just hate the devils that much...haha.

great day! go to the phillies game, watch a win, come home and see the the flyers have landed Briere....ohhh yeah!

[bedrock]

http://hockeytraderumors.com/modules...ticle&sid=8985

Pitkanen and Sanderson for Smith and Lupul
There better be a few 1st round draft choices to philly if this is true

[Hyperfried]

Paul Holmgren, GM Mastermind. Myes.

Fantastic news, great stuff. This is the piece of the puzzle that we needed.

[Drew]

Words cannot explain how happy I am right now. My favorite player on my favorite team.

Prepare for amazing goals this season boys. The season cannot start soon enough.

And oh yeah, Brett an