Pronger to Philly, Perfect Fit!

After being rumored for weeks as being heavily involved in the Jay Bouwmeester sweepstakes the Philadelphia Flyers decided to take a difference route as they swung a huge deal on draft day in landing rugged blue liner Chris Pronger. As opposed to waiting until July 1 and trying to outbid a host of other teams for the 25 year-old free agent Bouwmeester Philly instead went for veteran grit and a physical presence in Pronger who has a Stanley Cup on his resume from 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks. Upon hearing the news of being traded Pronger who produced 48 points last season wasn’t overly surprised due to the constant rumors that have circulated over the past few weeks. “I wouldn’t say I’m surprised,” Pronger who is a 16 year NHL veteran said. “When you hear it once, you brush it off, you hear it twice, you brush it off, when you hear it persistently over and over again, you start to think it’s going to be a reality and you start planning and preparing yourself and family that you’re going to be moving.”

In landing the former Hart and Norris Trophy winner (in 1999-2000) along with minor league forward Ryan Dingle Philadelphia made a statement to their fans that they want to win now as they gave up quite a few draft choices. Anaheim who will in fact have defenseman Scott Niedermayer back next year obtained two first round picks along with a conditional third round pick in 2010 or 2011 with that trade. Also going to Anaheim are defenceman Luca Sbisa who is a former first round Philly pick from 2008 and scoring forward Joffrey Lupul. Progner who had a standout junior career with the Peterborough Petes was a projected superstar when he was chosen second overall in 1993 by the Hartford Whalers. After only two seasons this Dryden Ontario native who also has an Olympic Gold Medal from the 2002 games under his belt was traded to the St. Louis Blues where he emerged while playing with Hall of Famer Al MacInnis. After the 2005 lockout Pronger was traded to Western Canada where in his one year with the Edmonton Oilers he was instrumental in helping them reach the Stanley Cup finals. This 6’5 rear guard who spent three seasons in Anaheim will give Philadelphia not only some more physicality on the blue line but also some more scoring from the backend.