Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere still wants one more big addition this summer, and he knows exactly where it needs to go.
He addressed it directly with reporters this week, months after the Flyers' failed offer sheet for Leo Carlsson.
"If we have the chance to improve the power play with a big-time player, yes, we are looking at that," Briere said.
He was careful to draw a line, though.
"I don't want to bring in just a strict power-play specialist that will sit on the fourth line and block some of the young guys."
The urgency makes sense given the numbers. Philadelphia's power play finished dead last in the NHL this past season at 15.7 percent.
That is not a one-year blip either. The Flyers have finished with the league's worst power play in four of the last five seasons.
Philadelphia's power play has been broken for years
Briere pointed to Philadelphia's young players as part of the long-term answer, naming Porter Martone, Alex Bump, Denver Barkey and David Jiricek specifically.
Martone already flashed some promise in a short call-up, posting 4 goals and 10 points over just 9 games this past season.
Briere also hinted at swings that already happened behind the scenes.
"We took some swings there, too, players are elsewhere," he said, without naming names.
Philadelphia still has just under $14 million in cap space remaining, even after locking up Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale on new extensions last week.
"We're looking to do different things. I'm not saying it's going to work, but yeah, there's different things we're looking at," Briere said of that remaining room.
The full comments from Briere are worth reading in detail.
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Briere already made one enormous swing this summer with the Carlsson offer sheet. Whether he takes another before camp opens is still very much unresolved.
Should the Flyers make another big splash after the Carlsson offer sheet?
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