GM Holmgren says Flyers will buy out the last 2 years of Briere’s contract

PHILADELPHIA – Danny Briere’s time with the Philadelphia Flyers is over.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren has announced the team will use a compliance buyout on the last two years of the centre’s contract.

Briere, who spent the past six seasons with the Flyers, was due $5 million over the next two seasons. Instead of counting $6.5 million against Philadelphia’s salary cap, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

The buyout cannot become official until at least 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded, but Briere being bought out was widely reported and the team confirmed the move Thursday.

“This was a very difficult decision for us to make as Danny has been a very good player for us over the past six years,” Holmgren said in a statement. “Danny came to our organization as a free agent in July of 2007 and has been a tremendous player, person and role model in all aspects.”

Briere, 35, helped the Flyers reach the 2010 Cup final. He had 30 points in 23 playoff games that season.

It’s uncertain whether the Flyers will use their other compliance buyout on goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.