Briere’s impact starts with high hockey IQ

VOORHEES, N.J. – Danny Briere was known as a crafty player who, at 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, used his smarts to find a way to navigate through the NHL defense redwoods to post a memorable 20-year career.

After Monday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center, bothcoach John Tortorella and several players noted how the new interim GM’shigh hockey IQshould have impact on the way the team does business.

That’s not to say things will be all that much different from the waytheywereduringtheprevious regime of Chuck Fletcher. It just means the 45-year-old Briere’s persona might be felt moreona“I played the gameandIknowwhat you’re going through” level.

“Danny and I have talked a lot on the weakest part of our organization, the offensive part of it,” Tortorella said. “I’ve asked a number of questions of him with some of our guys as they’ve struggled offensively — what does he see.

“The thing I think we will see with Danny, he’s a deep thinker. I don’t think it’s reactionary. I think he’ll see things and I think he has the ability to transform to whathe was doing at that time as a player. Because he was such a good player, maybe he will understand a little bit better.”

Being able to relate to younger players would seem to be especially important at this transition period in the Flyers’ growth.

“Especially in the evaluation process,” Tortorella said. “I would like to see how guys are moving along.”

Tortorella was an assistant coach with the Coyotes back in the late ’90s when Briere began his NHLcareer.

So the two have a working knowledge of how each other thinks.

“I’ve known him for so long,” the coach said. “He’s a student (of the game) also. He doesn’t think he has all the answers. As disap

Tuesday, 7 p.m.

NBCSP pointed as I am with not being with Chuck (Fletcher), I’m just that excited to be working with Danny.

“Hehadnocluewhenhebroke in. Hehadalotgoingon. Kids very young. And he was on a team full of characters out there in Phoenix. The thing I always respected about Danny not being a big man, he played in the (dirty) areas all the time. Not only a very skilled guy but he had the wherewithal that you can’t be on the outside.”

Some of that emphasis on grit could be seen in Briere’s work with Travis Konecny, who was enjoying a career year this season until he was injured last month.

“He brought it to TK’s attention that he was on the outside,” Tortorella said. “Hecouldplaythe game a lot of different ways and I’ve respected that about him.”

Scott Laughton went so far as to say Briere is “perfect” for this position.

It wouldn’t be a reach to say Briere’s presence will befelt in the final stretch of the season.

“I think so,” Laughton said. “Even with just skating with him a couple times. The tips and the little insights he has. His knowledgeis so valuable. Just the wayhe presents himself in front of all of us. Guysareexcited andIthinkit’s a great opportunity for him. He’s a perfect guy for the job.”

A young player such as center Morgan Frost can learn a lot from someone such as Briere, who also played center.

“When Danny was working with the development team through the course of the year, it was always nice to hear from him how he thought I was playing,” Frost said. “He’s a really smart hockey guy. I think he’s going to do really well in the position.

“Whatever I can learn from him, whatever happens, I’m here for it.”