Pronger a Flyer?

This immediately makes Philly a Cup contender. You build from the net out and they have the depth in goal and the addition of Pronger makes them one of the most feared defensive teams in the league. Playing in a typically softer Eastern Conference will make the Flyers that much more menacing. I surely wouldn't want to play them over a seven game series that's for sure. He left Anaheim due to cap issues. The Ducks have been up against the cap and needed to clear some space last season. They knew he'd leave as a free agent and his dollar signs was definitely easier to remove from the books for this season. Keep in mind, despite the seven year extension, he was under contract for another season regardless. The seven year is one of cap relief. The longer the term, the less his cap hit will be. He's not likely to play out all seven of those years, he's likely to retire before then. This has brought up debate. He signed the deal as a 34 year old, which defeats the NHL's "veteran rule" (which states that if a player retires and is 35 or older the team HAS to pay out the remaining contract and it will not count against the cap). However, the arguement is that since the contract doesn't kick in until next season (when Pronger is 35) the Flyers SHOULD be on the hook for the remaining amount and have it count against the cap. It will certainly be interested how this contract extension pans out.

He was closer to the cup with anaheim. Pronger is greedy and is going to philly for the money i'm sure. Problem is philly will have a tough time getting anywhere with all the offense they have if they can't get solid goaltending. Pronger will most likely have too much trouble keeping up with ovechkin to injure him so i wouldnt worry.

My post won't do much to answer your question of why Pronger wanted to leave the Ducks (sorry!) but I will say that I totally understand your concerns! I am a Wings fan and it drove me crazy to see him cross-check his way through the series between Detroit and Anaheim last season! I won't miss having him play in our conference AT ALL! Honestly, though, I wouldn't worry too much about him going after Ovie - he will be too busy sitting out games as punishment for all of the bad things that he is going to be doing to Sidney Crybaby when the Flyers play the Pens!!

Short-term benefit definitley goes to to Phily,the long-term benefit hands down goes to Anaheim.I cant belive Anaheim was able to get this good of a return on a 35 year old defensmen who has shown he's lost a step over the past two years and isn't getting any younger.