Danny Briere has become the latest big-name NHLer to switch teams this offseason.
The 35-year-old center agreed to a two-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. He cannot officially sign until the NHL’s free-agent period opens Friday.
Briere, a native of Quebec, spent the last six seasons with Philadelphia, totaling 124 goals and 159 assists before the Flyers bought out the remainder of his contract two weeks ago to comply with the NHL’s new salary cap restrictions.
The hometown boy hasn’t been particularly well-received in Montreal in the past. When he left Buffalo after the 2006-07 season, many thought he would sign with the Canadiens. He instead chose to take his talents to Philly, making him the target of the notoriously loud boo-birds at Montreal’s Bell Centre.
Briere was solid throughout his tenure with the Flyers, but he was never able to match his final, 95-point season in Buffalo that prompted Philadelphia to make him the highest-paid player in the league. He was limited to six goals and 10 assists in 34 games this season.
Photo via Facebook/Philadelphia Flyers
