Danny Brière GETS HONEST About Flyers Defense!

Danny Brière GETS HONEST About Flyers Defense!

The Philadelphia Flyers blue line is taking shape, but not without controversy. General manager Danny Breier sat down this week and gave us a brutally honest look at where his defense stands heading into the 202526 season. Some players earned their spot, others lost it. If you’re a few names like Emil Andre and Eigor Zamula, this camp may have changed their career paths entirely. Today, we’re breaking down every key point that Brier made about the Flyers defense player by player. So, stick around. [Applause] Danny Brriier made it clear the Flyers top pair belongs to Cam York and Travis Sanheim. York’s grown into a smooth skating highminute defenseman Philadelphia envision when they drafted him. Breer noted that York looks way better this year than he did last season. Stronger, more confident, and more assertive with the puck. Sanheim, meanwhile, remains the team’s most trusted veteran on the blue line. Priier emphasized that he’s not worried about Sanheim at all, calling him steady and reliable, someone who quietly logs 20 plus minutes a night without complaint. Together, they represent a blend of youth and experience that gives the Flyers stability at the top. But Brier’s tone also hinted at something deeper. That York’s continued development is crucial because the rest of the defense corpse remains unpredictable. And if the Flyers are going to stay competitive in the Metropolitan Division, York and Sanheim will have to shoulder a massive load. The Flyers second pair of Nick Cer and Jamie Dale might be the most intriguing of the group. Brier pointed out that both players have taken a noticeable step forward, especially Dale. He said outright that York and Dale look way better this year than last year, which is a massive compliment considering Dale’s injury plagued 2024 25 season. This fall, he’s moving with the puck with confidence again, showing flashes of the elite transition game that made him a top prospect in Anaheim. Seer, meanwhile, remains the heart and soul type, a physical, fearless defender who blocks shots like his life depends on it. Brier isn’t worried about him either, which speaks volumes. The Flyers clearly view Caler as a tone setter, the kind of veteran you want next to a puck moving talent like Dale. Look, is it a flashy pairing? Absolutely not. But it’s one Brierier believes can handle tough minutes. In a season that’s expected to test the Flyers structure early, that’s exactly what they need. If there’s one part of the Flyers defense that’s still unsettled, it’s the third pair. Priier acknowledged that players like Igor Zamula and Noah Jules have been hit or miss. He praised Jules for improving as camp went on, calling his veteran presence important on such a young team. Jules’s journey has been about survival. Once a high draft pick, now fighting to stay in the NHL. Briier respects that grind and believes that Jules steadying influence can help the Flyers manage their bottom pair minutes. But Zamula, his stocks fallen. Briier admitted that Zamula struggled in camp and progressively got worse since the first preseason game. That’s a harsh assessment and it could mean his role is in serious jeopardy. For a player who was expected to solidify a third pair job, this camp has been a massive step backwards. Breer even hinted that there’s competition for the bottom two spots among the group of depth defensemen, a sign that Zamula could slide right out of the lineup if things don’t turn around soon. When asked about the overall state of the defense, Brriier didn’t sugarcoat it. It’s hit or miss. He said that’s about as candid as it gets from an NHL general manager. Some players like Jules and Adam Jinning have stepped up while others have disappointed. Breier’s comments highlight how volatile the Flyers defense depth remains. The organization lacks true middle pair and consistency and beyond York Sanheim sealer, there’s question marks everywhere. This hit or miss evaluation speaks to why the Flyers rebuild remains in a fragile phase. One injury to a key defenseman could expose the lack of reliability behind the top four. That’s why Brier’s patience with certain young players and his frustrations with others carries extra weight. The margin for error is razor thin. The takeaway here, Philadelphia’s blue line’s not set in stone. It’s more of a revolving door and early season performance could reshape the bottom half of the depth chart very quickly. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] When you’re on the ice, not a word really needs to be spoken. That was the beauty of uh of being a flyer. [Music] I’ve played with a lot of great teams, a lot of great players. Uh but that was the closest group of teammates I’ve ever played with. In football, you need that quarterback to be special. In hockey, you need your goalender to be special. when uh Kelly was just beginning to emerge as a player. Kelly wanted so desperately to be a star in the NHL. It’s what he wanted most Lindberg. Thank you, Bernie. By all accounts, P was not a drinker. He picked his spots carefully. He would drink, but to be impaired, intoxicated, very rare. And then the next thing I know, all all I seen was a white wall. I said, “Py, there’s a white wall. There’s a white wall.” It was a horrific scene. The car was mangled. The headlight in front of Kelly had to be back three feet from where it initially should have been. I read an article, “You almost got into the Porsche.” Is that true? Uh, not really. Uh, me and Murray Craven lived three blocks from the establishment. So, we just walked home. Catching the wall right here in this in this corner. It was devastating. And he went into cardiac arrest and CPR was started immediately. Talked to the police. I asked him, I said, “Is he going to be okay?” And the police officer said, “He’ll be lucky to live.” Police officer asked us, we had to identify a body. And I remember looking at Murray and Murray goes, “I can’t do it.” My gut was turning and I didn’t know what to do. And um he passed away when I was holding his hand. You know that moment. That moment. Yeah. So we were destined to be a demon. P. I don’t blame you. I never blamed you. I wish I could take that day back. And so many people you’ve touched in your life miss you. One of the biggest surprises of Flyers camp has been Adam Jinning. Brier specifically mentioned him as a player who wasn’t expected to be in the mix at the start of camp, but played his way onto the team. That’s the kind of statement that says a lot about work ethic. Jimmy came in as an afterthought, a stay-at-home defenseman without elite puck skills and simply outworked people. His positioning, penalty killing, and physical play earned him praise from the coaching staff. For a Flyers organization trying to build a culture of accountability, Jennings emergence fits perfectly. Brier clearly respects players who seize their opportunity, and Jenning did exactly that. Now, the bigger question is whether his game can hold up once the real season starts. But for now, he’s gone from long shot to legitimate roster piece. The kind of underdog story this Flyers rebuild keeps producing. But not every story out of camp has been positive. Priier didn’t name names when discussing players who underperformed, but it’s clear he was referring to Helga Grants. Grants has the size, the reach, and the raw talent to be an NHL defenseman. But Brier’s tone made it clear he didn’t show enough. The Flyers had hoped the 23-year-old Swede would take a step forward, but instead he find himself on the outside looking in. This could have been a make orb breakak camp for Grants. Instead, it was a massive step backwards. And in an organization suddenly seeing unexpected names like Adam Jinning leaprog the depth chart. That’s a bad sign. Briier’s message was blunt. Opportunity was there and some players didn’t take it. The kind of internal accountability is good for a rebuild but bad news for anyone who thought their spot was safe. Briier was surprisingly positive about Noah Jules. Once viewed as a fringe player, Jules played his way into consideration for a full-time spot. Priier described him as a veteran presence, someone who got better as camp went along, and that improvement hasn’t gone unnoticed. Jules’s experience gives the Flyers something they’ve lacked. A reliable stay-at-home defender who can calm things down when the game gets chaotic. For a young team with multiple puck movers, having a player who plays simple, physical hockey matters, and Briier knows it, and he seems to trust Jules’s consistency more than the offensive flash of some younger options. It’s a reminder that not every roster spot is about ceiling. Sometimes it’s about dependability. Jules might not be exciting, but right now he’s useful. Beyond the immediate lineup, Priier’s praise for Cam York and Jamie Ddale carries long-term significance. He said both look way better than last year, which suggest they’re trending toward being the future anchors of the Flyers defense. Both are first round picks. Both move the puck well and both fit the style of hockey Philadelphia is trying to build. Breer’s confidence in them signals that no matter how chaotic the bottom pair gets, the organization believes its core is set. For Flyers fans, that’s encouraging. York and Dale are still young, still learning, but they represent the identity shift that Briier’s been preaching since he took over. Skill, skating, and pace. And with both showing maturity this camp, it’s clear they’re ready to lead the next wave of Flyers Blueliners. Breer didn’t spend much time on Travis Sanheim, but what he did say spoke volumes. I’m not worried about him, he said. Sanheim’s become the veteran backbone of this defense, capable of playing in every situation. He’s been through the ups and downs of this rebuild and remains one of the few who has earned the trust of both the coaching staff and front office. With young players still finding their footing, Sanheim stability is critical. He allows York and Dale to develop without being overexposed and his quiet leadership sets the tone for everyone else. In a blue line full of volatility, Sanheim is the constant and Briier knows it. One subtle but revealing detail from Briier’s interview came when he mentioned Dennis Gilbert. The Flyers depth defender will not report to Lehigh Valley because Cam York is dealing with a lower body injury and is considered dayto-day or even week to week with the injury. That’s notable. It means the Flyers are keeping Gilbert around as insurance a sign they’re worried enough about York’s availability to hold on to an extra defenseman. It also shows that roster flexibility remains a top priority for Briier. He’s juggling development needs, injuries, and cap space simultaneously. Keeping Gilbert up ensures the Flyers won’t have to scramble if York misses time. Still, it underscores how fragile the defense situation really is. One injury and suddenly the entire structure can change. When asked about Emil Andre, Briier didn’t dance around the question. His blunt answer to whether Andre was too small to make the team was simple. Yes. With York and Dale already on the roster, both smaller, puck moving defenseman, Brriier admitted that it’s difficult to fit another player of that profile into the mix. Instead, Andre will log heavy minutes with the Phantoms. Briier insisted they still believe in him as a prospect, but the message was clear. The NHL lineup does not have room for another undersized defender right now. It’s disappointing, especially for fans who see Andre’s skill as NHL ready. But it also highlights the roster imbalance Briier’s trying to solve. Until a spot opens up, Andre’s job is to dominate in the AHL. And wait, Briier’s interview paints a vivid picture where the Flyers defense stands. Uncertain, competitive, and still evolving. York and Sanheim are the foundation. Dale looks revitalized. Jules and Jennings surprised. Zamula and Gr regressed. And Andre once again is caught in the numbers game. The key word here is transition. The Flyers are still sorting out who fits the long-term vision and who doesn’t. Priier’s honesty was refreshing, but it also made one thing clear. This defense isn’t finished. It’s a work in progress, full of potential, but also frustration. And as the 202526 season begins, all eyes will be on whether this blue line can finally deliver consistency instead of chaos. That’s going to do it for today’s episode. Don’t forget to like and subscribe and leave a comment. What do you think about this year’s decor? What do you think about Danny Brier’s comments? In the meantime, don’t forget to keep it high, keep it wide. We’ll see you next time on HW Hockey. [Applause]

Flyers GM Danny Brière sat down for an in-depth interview about the Philadelphia Flyers’ blue line — and he did not hold back.

Brière revealed the team’s defensive pairs, praised standouts like Adam Ginning and Noah Juulsen, and was brutally honest about players who struggled, including Egor Zamula and Helge Grans.

He also confirmed that Emil Andrae was sent down partly because of his size, even while reaffirming his belief in Andrae’s long-term potential. Plus, updates on Cam York’s injury, Dennis Gilbert’s roster status, and how the Flyers’ defense is shaping up heading into the 2025–26 season.

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