Chris Pronger out Indefinitely: 12 Defensemen Philadelphia Flyers Should Pursue

Chris Pronger is out for the season, according to ESPN. Let that sink in for a minute.

Before you panic, remember that the Philadelphia Flyers have four other very good defensemen still with the team. Kimmo Timonen, Andrej Meszaros, Matt Carle and Braydon Coburn are all very capable of handling the extended minutes that will be coming their way from now until (hopefully) June.

However, the Flyers now cannot afford to have another top-four defenseman get hurt. If that happens, you're looking at serious minutes for any one of Marc-Andre Bourdon, Kevin Marshall, Matt Walker, Andreas Lilja or Erik Gustaffson. If you're like me (and I know I am) that thought scares the daylights out of you.

The Flyers need to add another defender. With the LTIR (Long Term Injured Reserve) exception, Pronger's salary ($4.91 million) will come off the books, and they'll have the cap space to do that. They need someone who can play top-four minutes (20 to 24 minutes per game) and not hurt his team. They don't expressly need a highly talented player (a strong third-pairing defender would do) but they need to make sure they use their assets well.

They have a few chips to move, and while those chips are strong (namely Brayden Schenn), they are the Flyers' only assets. So choose wisely.

A little note before this list begins: This entire list is speculation. I do not claim to have inside information as to who the Flyers may be pursuing and/or which players certain NHL teams may be shopping. This is simply a list of players the Flyers should look into.

Bryan McCabe (Unsigned)

How He Could Get Here

Simply put, outside of the players on the Flyers' current roster, Bryan McCabe would be the easiest to obtain. Few, if any, teams have expressed interest in the 36-year-old blueliner, so he should be fairly affordable. But do the Flyers really want him?

What He Would Bring

Experience and a heavy shot. One thing age has not slowed is McCabe’s rocket shot from the point. McCabe could effectively replace Pronger as the power-play trigger man, something the Flyers have lacked on their top unit since the captain’s departure. Beyond that, McCabe brings 15 seasons of NHL experience to the table, an asset that no others on this list can claim.

Why It May Not Work

Do the Flyers really want the aging defenseman? A lot of people felt the wheels came off when McCabe was traded to the Rangers last season, as he tallied just two goals and six points in 19 games. McCabe has never been the smartest player in the league, and he no longer possesses the physical prowess to make up for his mistake.

Bottom Line

If they can get him cheap (less than $1 million), he can fill the role of a fifth/sixth defenseman and play 16 to 18 minutes per game effectively, while filling in from time to time in the top four. But do not panic and overpay him. And definitely do not sign a multi-year deal.

Mark Streit (NY Islanders, Two-Year Contract, $4.1 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

While he is one of the few players on the Islanders playing well, the Islanders are a bad team this year, and will not make the playoffs. And things are only going to get tougher next year when Washington is added to the division. If they feel the playoffs to be a long shot these next two seasons, why hold onto a 34-year-old defenseman with only two years on his contract? The Islanders would definitely ask for a strong package, but Streit is an asset well worth trading for.

What He Would Bring

Offense, offense, offense. Streit is a converted forward who has scored 62, 56 and 48 points in his last three full seasons. He packages a powerful point shot with strong passing skills and very good vision in the offensive zone. He also can play a ton of minutes (25:13 and 25:42 per game in his last two seasons).

Why It May Not Work

Firstly, Streit would be tough to obtain. Swinging a deal with a division rival is always tough, especially when your prospect pool is shallow. Secondly, he doesn’t particularly fill the need they have on defense. More offense is always useful, but the team truly needs to improve their 19th-ranked defense, and Streit can sometimes be a liability in his own zone. His $4.1 million salary is also a little high.

Bottom Line

A player like Mark Streit would be a great addition to any team. His defensive game still needs work, but he’s come a long way towards justifying the big contract the Islanders gave him. Unfortunately, the Flyers would be hard pressed to come up with a reasonable trade package that would put him in orange and black.

Chris Phillips (Ottawa Senators, Three-Year Deal, $3.08 Million Cap Number, NMC)

How He Could Get Here

This would be tough on the Flyers’ part. Phillips could nix any potential move by invoking his No-Movement Clause (NMC). And the Senators may be convinced that his affordable salary makes him worth holding onto. However, there has been much speculation over the last couple years that the rebuilding Senators would move Phillips for younger pieces.

What He Would Bring

A solid veteran and defensive presence. Phillips is big and he plays the body as well as anyone in the league. He doesn’t get caught flat-footed often and seems comfortable with the puck on his stick, unlike many defensive defensemen.

Why It May Not Work

The Senators, and Phillips, may not want to him to move. Oh, and he has one goal in his last 114 games played. That’s about all you need to know about his offensive game.

Bottom Line

He would be a fine addition to the team, paired with a young guy like Bourdon. While his cap hit would be a little high over the two following years for a fifth defenseman with little to no offensive upside, if the Flyers can pry him from the Senators, they should jump.

Filip Kuba (Ottawa Senators, One-Year Contract, $3.7 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

He’s got one year left on his deal and likely won’t be back in Ottawa next season. Kuba would be a rental, plain and simple. As such, he wouldn’t fetch a terribly high price, so the Flyers, with their LTIR exception for Pronger, could easily fit his salary in this year.

What He Would Bring

A big frame and solid instincts. Generally, Kuba plays a good, but unspectacular brand of hockey. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and is a guy who you can pencil in for 18 to 20 minutes in a game and not worry about him. He also can contribute offensively from time to time, though that part of his game has faded of late.

Why It May Not Work

Kuba is injured right now and, overall, in decline. He has scored just 16 goals over the last four-plus seasons after scoring 15 in 2006-07. His tall cap hit also means that, if acquired, he would be the only addition the Flyers could make.

Bottom Line

He is a very solid player, if a bit expensive for his skill set. The Flyers could do worse, but they could also do better.

Francois Beauchemin (Anaheim Ducks, One-Year Contract, $3.65 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

Beauchemin doesn’t really fit in the Ducks' future plans despite his limited NMC. Lubomir Visnovsky is their top gun and youngsters Cam Fowler and Luca Sbisa are their future. Should things continue the way they are for the team, everyone else will be expendable. For all we know, Beauchemin may already be on the trading block. It just remains to be seen who will put together the best package for him.

What He Would Bring

A heavy shot and a lot of minutes. Those are the two things you get with Beauchemin, both of which were especially noticeable during the Ducks’ Stanley Cup run. He is an all-around player, who can contribute in all three zones of the rink for over 20 minutes per game. And really, can you ask anymore of anyone?

Why It May Not Work

Because no one has ever really been able to set fair market value for Francois Beauchemin. He can play the minutes of a top-pairing defender, but he can’t contribute like a top-pairing defender. But someone will inevitably pay for him to be that kind of a player. Hopefully it isn’t the Flyers.

Bottom Line

He would be a great addition. His limited NMC may keep him out of Philadelphia, but I truly believe Beauchemin would waive it for a chance at another Cup. Should the price be right, a half-year of Beauchemin would be something worth pursuing.

Bryan Allen (Carolina Hurricanes, One-Year Contract, $3.15 Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

The Hurricanes have already started to sell off their players. The 31-year-old Allen signed his current contract with the Florida Panthers, not this Hurricanes team. So if the Hurricanes think that A) Allen won’t come back and/or B) someone will be willing to trade for him, they will certainly explore a deal.

What He Would Bring

A very big body. Allen is a pure defensive defenseman. In 10 NHL seasons, he has scored 28 total goals and finished a season with more than 20 points just once. But he is 6'5" tall and 226 pounds. He’s no Chara, but Allen is a very effective shutdown defenseman.

Why It May Not Work

No offensive upside. He simply provides nothing on that side of the puck. The Hurricanes may also feel that they can re-sign him.

Bottom Line

If the Flyers hear his name being shopped around, they would do well to stop and listen. Allen would be a solid, if unspectacular, addition to the roster.

Shane O'Brien (Colorado Avalanche, One-Year Contract, $1.1 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

O’Brien plays on a fast-fading Colorado team. They don’t really have a history of dealing with the Flyers (outside of a minor deal in the early nineties), but little deals like this are where relationships begin. As a relatively low-key player, O’Brien wouldn’t fetch too high of a price, so, along with his salary, the Flyers may see him as an affordable option.

What He Would Bring

Size. O’Brien doesn’t quite have the size of Bryan Allen or his own teammate Ryan O’Byrne, but at 6'3" and 230 pounds, he is no lightweight. He has posted eight points and a moderate minus-three plus/minus rating so far this year while averaging 19:38 in ice time per game.

Why It May Not Work

O’Brien is not what you would call a highly talented player. He generally has served as a third-pairing defenseman on good teams and was a sixth/seventh defenseman for the Canucks two seasons ago.

Bottom Line

O’Brien does not have top-four talent, but he has fared reasonably well when given extended minutes in the past. The Flyers could certainly do worse. Would he ever be their first choice? No. But he would still be a solid consolation prize.

Erik Johnson (Colorado Avalanche, One-Year Contract, $3.0 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

Very simply, Colorado would have to give up on him. They gave up two talented players to get him, so I doubt they’ll be ready to ship him out this soon. However, his totals this season (11 points, minus-14 rating in 26 games) are not encouraging. Neither is the fact that the Avalanche have yet to extend him past this season. So who knows what’s going on in Denver?

What He Would Bring

Boundless talent. Johnson is the James van Riemsdyk of defensemen. He has talent that others can only dream of and moves incredibly well for his size. While he only had one goal, anyone who saw him play for the US at the Olympics watched him unleash dazzling moves out of nowhere.

Why It May Not Work

Because Johnson is in the NHL equivalent of limbo. He’s on a Colorado team that is not playoff-bound. Through 49 games with the team he has been an unequivocal disappointment. And neither team nor player have decided if they want to be a part of each other’s future. So dealing with that situation may be too frustrating for the Flyers to bear.

Bottom Line

At $3 million for this year, Johnson’s talent may be worth gambling on, especially considering Pronger’s uncertain future. However, the Avalanche may ask for the world. The Flyers have some strong chips to barter with, but wagering them all on Johnson may be too big of a gamble.

Barret Jackman (St. Louis Blues, One-Year Contract, $3.5 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

The St. Louis Blues are playing very strong hockey right now. So why would they part with one of their best defensive defensemen? Elementary, my dear reader.

The Blues lack offense. The Flyers lack defense. So what would be wrong about St. Louis trading a purely defensive defenseman for a little more offense?

What He Would Bring

Defense. Jackman isn’t a huge player, but he is solid as a rock. He plays the hard defensive minutes so that your other, more skilled defensemen don’t have to. He also moves the puck very well for a defensive defenseman.

Why It May Not Work

Because the Blues may not want to move him. While his minutes have been reduced this year, he has been a part of a very, very strong defensive unit. Even if trading him would mean adding some offense to the leagues 25th-ranked offensive club, they would probably still be reluctant to move a strong presence like Jackman.

Bottom Line

It would probably be a tough sell to pick him up from St. Louis. However, it never hurt to inquire about anyone’s availability and I very much doubt that Jackman would be untouchable in trade negotiations.

Niklas Grossman (Dallas Stars, One-Year Contract, $1.75 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

The Dallas ownership situation, while getting better, still has hockey operations running on a tight leash. Niklas Grossman is probably No. 3 on their list of players to re-sign. Unfortunately, he’s sitting behind Jamie Benn and Alex Goligoski, both of whom will be due large raises. So, if the Stars fall from the playoff picture, look for them to try and get something for the soon-to-be-departing defenseman.

What He Would Bring

A very strong defensive game. At 6'4" tall, he’s got the size you look for in a defensive defenseman, and complements that with very solid defensive instincts. He plays the penalty kill well and is generally a guy who you don’t have to worry about.

Why It May Not Work

Three goals in just over 300 games. Yeah, no offense at all. Would he be worth the package to get him and the cap space that he’ll take up? And could the Flyers get just as much out of Lilja? There’s really no way to know, but you always worry about trading for a one-dimensional player.

Bottom Line

If the Flyers can get him for a late-round draft pick or a marginal prospect, then he would be worth it. I believe him to be an upgrade over Lilja, Walker, Bourdon and Marshall. But giving up NHL-level talent for him would just be wrong.

Shea Weber (Nashville Predators, One-Year Contract, $7.5 Million Cap Number)

How He Could Get Here

Well, this is the one you were waiting for, right? Consensus out of Nashville is that Weber will be gone at the end of the season. With the Predators sitting fourth in their own division, they will eventually be forced to decide if they keep Weber to make a run at the Cup or do they trade him now so they don’t lose him for nothing. If they decide upon the latter, the Flyers will almost certainly inquire about his services.

What He Would Bring

Everything. Weber is everything you could want in a defenseman. He has a rocket shot, makes a great outlet pass, has good foot speed and can destroy people with body checks. Weber is the total package.

Why It May Not Work

Cap room. Even with Pronger on LTIR, the Flyers wouldn’t have the cap space to add Weber. They’d have to move someone with at least a $3 million cap hit. And beyond that, would the Flyers have the money to sign Weber for next season?

They will already have eight players on their roster with a cap hit of $ 4 million or more, and that’s before figuring if the team can re-sign Jakub Voracek. So would it be worth adding Weber as a rental?

Bottom Line

Every fan of every team in the league would love to have Weber on their home squad. The Flyers definitely have a chance to make a play for this talented rearguard. However, should they pull the trigger on a deal, the team may be crippled for years to come from the ensuing contract and/or the loss of young talent in the deal. It’s really a no-win situation for the team and they should avoid it.

Ryan Suter (Nashville Predators, One-Year Contract, $3.5 Million Cap Hit)

How He Could Get Here

There has been speculation about Suter being moved as long as there has been speculation about Weber. Suter is the lesser of the two, so he should come cheaper which is why the belief is that the Predators will re-sign him and not Weber. As of yet, no deal has been reached.

Could they possibly keep Weber instead? Or could the Predators even fathom letting both go? If either of those are the case, Suter could very well be on the table for the Flyers.

What He Would Bring

A responsible, all-around game. Suter really is just a smaller version of Shea Weber. He has a good shot, makes great passes, takes the body well and is very sound positionally. Suter also logs a ton of minutes and can play the power play and the penalty kill with equal precision.

Why It May Not Work

Because the logistics may be too complicated. The Flyers would need to give up a lot to get Suter. And while he would not command as high a salary as Weber, you have to think Suter would at least be looking for a deal in the $5-6 million-per-year range. That simply doesn’t fit under the Flyers' cap.

So, unless they plan to move some other pieces this offseason, they may need to look elsewhere.

Bottom Line

Suter would be a great addition. If the Flyers plan to move one of Briere, Hartnell or Meszaros in the offseason, there would be a nonissue with cap room (unless his price skyrockets). However, don’t expect Nashville to part with him lightly.