I think it's much more likely Briere targets a lower tier FA or two for an offer sheet.
St Louis got Boberg and Holloway for a 2nd and 3rd rd pick. Both have played major roles in the Blues turnaround.
You target a young, bottom six/bottom pair player on a top team that is cap strapped who might blossom if given a chance to move up the lineup.
The key is to be constantly on the look out for these opportunities, whether an offer sheet, waiver wire, trade "throw in" or later round draft pick.
Keep an eye on Barkey, if the Flyers had drafted him in the top 5 and he had a D+2 season like this, Flyer fans would be drooling. Well, last 37g was averaging 1.9 ppg (slow start due to mono last summer), first playoff round, 12 points in 4 games. We'll see how he does the next few rounds. Don't expect big numbers from Bonk, he's paired with Dickinson (who I think the Flyers hoped would drop instead of Buium) and is the defensive conscience of that pair. But +11 in that 4 game sweep.
Another one to watch in the WHL playoffs is Sotheran, held out of camp due to a congenital heart condition, really slow start, but so far, 4 goals, 6 point in 4 PO games. They haven't signed him yet, I think they may wait until his playoffs are finished and sign him to an ELC to start next season.
They also have to wait for Bump, who is the leading scorer on W Michigan and is in the Frozen four which play next Friday.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on LHV, Jett has 2 points in his first three games, but hasn't had a chance to practice with the team, and won't until next week - last two weeks no games during the week and just Friday and Saturday. That'll give a feel whether he's NHL ready.
