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Briere will play for Flyers

Flyers center Danny Briere, who has missed the first four games because of a hairline fracture of his left wrist, will make his first appearance of the season Saturday night in Florida.

SUNRISE, Fla. _ Flyers center Danny Briere, who has missed the first four games because of a hairline fracture of his left wrist, will make his first appearance of the season Saturday night in Florida.

Briere said he had no problems shooting the puck, but faceoffs still gave him difficulties. Hence, he will play wing.

Earlier, GM Paul Holmgren said Briere was "probably a no-go" for Saturday, but Briere apparently talked his way into the lineup.

Briere is expected to play LW on a line with Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek.

Veteran right winger Mike Knuble, who signed with the Flyers on Friday, skated on a line with Brayden Schenn (returning from a one-game suspension) and Ruslan Fedotenko this morning. Knuble, 40, is wearing No. 9.

Knuble, however, is expected to be on a unit with Schenn and Scott Laughton.

Winger Zac Rinaldo, recovering from a lacerated leg, also skated Saturday morning but will not play Saturday.

For the first time in ages, the Flyers will have three RH defensemen in the lineup _ Luke Schenn, Bruno Gervais and Kurtis Foster.

Florida will be without two top-line players who are injurued _ center Stephen Weiss and former Flyers winger Kris Versteeg.

Ilya Bryzglaov (1-3, 2.52 GAA, .910 SP) will face the Panthers' Jose Theodore (1-2, 2.35, .939).

Both teams have struggled to score goals and both are off to 1-3 starts. The Flyers have scored five goals (1.3 per game) and the Panthers have managed seven (1.8 per game). Florida has two even-strength goals this season.

The Flyers will be playing without LW Scott Hartnell (broken foot) and D Andrej Meszaros (shoulder)

Laughton staying? Saturday will be Laughton's fifth game with the Flyers. If the center plays his sixth game Sunday against Tampa Bay, the clock would start on his entry-level contract.

Holmgren did not want to comment on the situation Saturday, but he sent Eric Wellwood down to the AHL Phantoms.

Coach Peter Laviolette gave Laughton, 18, high grades.

"I think he's looked strong. He certainly hasn't looked out of place," Laviolette said. "Defensively, he's been in the right position. He's physical, smart. He's gotten some scoring chances. He hasn't hurt himself defensively at all. He's a nice kid. He fits in the locker room. Quiet."

Subban watch. A source said the Flyers have had no talks about pursuing RFA P.K. Subban, Montreal's gifted defenseman.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.