Briere surgery means Flyers have eyes for Forsberg

The Philadelphia Flyers probably should stop counting on much of a contribution from high-priced center Daniel Briere this season. After almost returning from a groin injury this week, the team instead decided to hold him out until after the All-Star Break.

That was thought to be largely a business decision, as Philly would have had to clear about $2 million from the cap to bring Briere back from the AHL. Well, it turns out to be a medical decision.

Briere had groin surgery this week and will miss at least four more weeks. He has played only nine games this season (totaling 9 points) because of abdominal and groin injuries. He had surgery on Oct. 25 to repair a torn abdominal muscle, returned on Dec. 2 against Tampa Bay, but was forced out of that game with a groin injury and hasn’t played since.

Briere was hoping the persistent pain he felt in his groin was the result of scar tissue. But when a doctor discovered that a nerve was trapped inside a muscle tear, he decided an adductor release was necessary (ouch!).

“It’s disappointing, but once he comes back, he’s going to be rested,” said Flyers center Mike Richards, who had a groin injury of his own a few years ago. “When it’s your groin, it’s hard to play through it because you just don’t have the power and the real explosiveness you need in today’s game because it’s so fast. We’re obviously going to miss him, but it just gives other people opportunities to step up, and hopefully, Danny comes back stronger than ever.”

If Briere is out four weeks, that means about nine games. The Flyers are sixth in the Eastern Conference, but only four points out of second.

That brings us to Peter Forsberg. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren admitted the team has looked into signing the former NHL MVP. Forsberg, 35, a former Flyer, has been working out in Sweden, testing his ailing right foot and mulling a comeback. He reportedly would only play for the Avs or Flyers if he returns.

“We’ve inquired about Peter’s health,” Holmgren said. “I talked to Peter about a month ago. I talked to his agent (Don Baizley) last week, so I kind of know where they’re at. … But I don’t know that he’s certain that he can come back. I think he’s trying, at least as of 10 days ago.”

Last March, Forsberg returned to the Avalanche, but injuries kept him out of nine of the Avs’ final 18 games, along with three playoff games.

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