Danny Briere will join the Montreal Canadiens according to numerous reports.
ESPN and NHL.com have reported that the former Philadelphia Flyer has signed a two-year contract with the Canadiens on Thursday; the deal is supposedly worth $8 million.
Briere was one of the Flyers' two compliance buyouts earlier this offseason after finishing the 2012-13 16 points in 34 games; he had scored 25 or more goals in three of six seasons with the Flyers. He had two years at an annual rate of $6.5 million left on his contract with the Flyers.
"They were respectful the whole time," Briere said of the buyout process. "It wasn't an easy thing for them, either, meeting with me and having to break the news. But they did it with a lot of class. I'll always be grateful for that and also my time here as a Flyer."
"I've been here a long time," he added about his time in Philadelphia. "This is home now for me and my family. Yes, it's not an easy day, but at the same time, I've seen all the rumors and reality was that it was going to happen. Like I said, it's sad, but at the same time, hopefully it's new doors that open, new opportunities. Obviously I'm not very happy with the way last season went, but it's also extra motivation moving forward, to prove that I can still play, and hopefully I still have a few more years."
The Canadiens finished as the top team in Northeast division. However, the club was subsequently eliminated from the playoffs in the first round after a five-game series against the Ottawa Senators.
The Canadiens will be Briere's fourth team. He started his career with the Phoenix Coyotes in 1997-98 before being moved to the Buffalo Sabres in the 2002-03 season. He joined the Flyers in 2007-08.