Philadelphia Flyers Trade Speculation: Will Chris Pronger Surgery Force Trade?

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger is expected to miss four weeks because of knee surgery, according to ESPN, and the loss of their captain may force the team to make a trade to help their depth on the blueline.

Pronger is currently scheduled to return just prior to the Winter Classic, which the Flyers will play at Citizens Bank Park in January against the New York Rangers.

Defenseman Andreas Lilja is also hurt, and will miss the next six weeks with an injury, giving the Flyers two quality defenseman that will miss at least a month more.

Philly will be expected to move both players to the long-term injury list which will allow the team to clear a bit of salary cap space to bring in a defensive replacement via trade.

This surgery will be Pronger's sixth since July of 2010, and he has missed 42 games between last season and the first part of this season combined.

Even if Pronger has a few years as a top defenseman left, it is clearly time to find another stellar defenseman to lead the Flyers into the future or an inexpensive rental for this season's playoff run.

Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, one of their better veteran players, is 36 years old. He has nine straight seasons of 37-plus points, but even Timonen cannot be expected to be a big point-producing defenseman for much longer.

After Pronger and Lilja are moved to the long-term injury list, the team will have a bit over $4 million in cap space.

They won't be able to get a big name defenseman, but there are several inexpensive options to consider for the Flyers if they choose to make a trade for a defenseman.

Let's take a look at some possible acquisitions via trade.

1. Hal Gill

The Montreal Canadiens defenseman has good size and plays well in his own zone. He blocks shots very well and makes his teammates play more physical with his energy. He is a free agent next season, so he would be rental for this season.

2. Francois Beauchemin

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin plays pretty well in his own zone but he would help the Flyers more in the attacking zone. He moves the puck well and is capable of playing on the power play. He is a free agent next season, but his $3.8 million cap hit for this year may be too large for the Flyers to want to take on.

3. Kyle Quincey

The Colorado Avalanche defenseman is another good offensive defenseman who could help create scoring chances for the Flyers on the power play. 

4. Corey Sarich

The Calgary Flames defenseman would be a cheap rental for this season and brings Stanley Cup winning experience from his Cup title with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.

The Flyers will likely make a move for a defenseman with their captain and best defenseman Chris Pronger sidelined for at least another four weeks.

With Pronger's injury struggles over the past few years, there is no guarantee he will be healthy for the rest of the season when he returns from this latest surgery.

A trade for a big name star defenseman is unlikely, but it would not be smart for the Flyers to do nothing and just fill their lack of depth on the blueline from within the organization.

Follow Nicholas Goss on Twitter. Follow @NicholasGoss35.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.