Chris Pronger was dealt yesterday to the Philadelphia Flyers along with prospect Ryan Dingle and a third round pick for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, this year's first round pick and next years first round pick. At first glance, it was a trade that bothered me a bit as a Pens fan. Pronger is a big tough defenseman who hits with intent every chance he gets. In addition, he is a very good point man on the power play, and will make anybody who gets in front of Philly's net pay a price. He is a more talented version of Derian Hatcher for sure. The Flyers also dealt from a position of depth(forward) to address an area of need, rugged defenseman. However, as I digest that trade, I am not sure how I would feel if I were a Flyers fan for severeal reasons:
Prongers 6 million plus per year salary almost guarantees another move that will be made more with salary in mind than skills. Giroux will certainly step up and replace Lupuls point production, but the Flyers probably have to dump another salary/skilled forward to make room for Prongers salary. If so, it is likely to be another of their talented forwards, and they have already lost Upshall (in Carcillo trade), and Lupul in the Pronger trade. The obvious hope due to his huge salary and soft play is Briere, but I would think his contract would make him tough to move........Richards and Carter are untouchables, so my guess is that the Flyers may have to move Gagne to open up cap space. The strength of the Flyers to me had been the depth of scoring across their forward lines and that will be in jeopardy as a result of this deal. I understand the Flyers have 52 million of the 56 million dollar cap committed to 17 players..............the remaining 4 million dollars will not take them very far without a move like the one referenced above.
The upside of Luca Sbisa is tremendous. Sbisa played very well last year for the Flyers and at the age of 19 has the potential to be a top flight defenseman in the NHL for years to come. At age 34, and with only this year on his contract, Pronger is definitely more of a short term play. Though 34 is not over the hill, the miles on a 34 year old defensman who plays as physical as Pronger are not insignificant. He is another guy to go along with Carcillo and Hartnell apt to take penalties at inopportune times.
Giving up the two number one picks will have an affect on future depth. Number one picks are not the same in the NHL as they are in the NFL, where the expectation to contribute year one is present for one picked so high, especially picking late in the round as the Flyers are likely to do, but they are picks that should show up sometime in a 2-3 year window. The Flyers used their round one picks this year and next in return for the third pick. I like what Pronger can do for the Flyers from their perspective, but I think the price was too high, especially with regard to Sbisa. Timonen and Pronger give the Flyers two top notch shut down defensemen, but their age and the overall cost is too high. If the Flyers wind up hoisting the Cup and Pronger was front and center, then certainly this will have been a great move..........in my opinion, it is the ONLY way it is. Anything short of a cup this year and it is a regrettable move. If not, the Flyers have given up MUCH for a potentially one year run with Pronger................Time will tell.......Flyers fans, your thoughts??
Prongers 6 million plus per year salary almost guarantees another move that will be made more with salary in mind than skills. Giroux will certainly step up and replace Lupuls point production, but the Flyers probably have to dump another salary/skilled forward to make room for Prongers salary. If so, it is likely to be another of their talented forwards, and they have already lost Upshall (in Carcillo trade), and Lupul in the Pronger trade. The obvious hope due to his huge salary and soft play is Briere, but I would think his contract would make him tough to move........Richards and Carter are untouchables, so my guess is that the Flyers may have to move Gagne to open up cap space. The strength of the Flyers to me had been the depth of scoring across their forward lines and that will be in jeopardy as a result of this deal. I understand the Flyers have 52 million of the 56 million dollar cap committed to 17 players..............the remaining 4 million dollars will not take them very far without a move like the one referenced above.
The upside of Luca Sbisa is tremendous. Sbisa played very well last year for the Flyers and at the age of 19 has the potential to be a top flight defenseman in the NHL for years to come. At age 34, and with only this year on his contract, Pronger is definitely more of a short term play. Though 34 is not over the hill, the miles on a 34 year old defensman who plays as physical as Pronger are not insignificant. He is another guy to go along with Carcillo and Hartnell apt to take penalties at inopportune times.
Giving up the two number one picks will have an affect on future depth. Number one picks are not the same in the NHL as they are in the NFL, where the expectation to contribute year one is present for one picked so high, especially picking late in the round as the Flyers are likely to do, but they are picks that should show up sometime in a 2-3 year window. The Flyers used their round one picks this year and next in return for the third pick. I like what Pronger can do for the Flyers from their perspective, but I think the price was too high, especially with regard to Sbisa. Timonen and Pronger give the Flyers two top notch shut down defensemen, but their age and the overall cost is too high. If the Flyers wind up hoisting the Cup and Pronger was front and center, then certainly this will have been a great move..........in my opinion, it is the ONLY way it is. Anything short of a cup this year and it is a regrettable move. If not, the Flyers have given up MUCH for a potentially one year run with Pronger................Time will tell.......Flyers fans, your thoughts??
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