Flyers Sign Defenseman Pronger to Seven-Year Extension

Just a couple weeks after acquiring all-star defenseman Chris Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks, the Philadelphia Flyers have signed him to a seven-year contract extension worth $35 million. The deal averages out to $5 million per season and includes a no-movement clause. The Flyers acquired Pronger from the Ducks on June 26 from the Ducks along with forward Ryan Dingle in exchange for forward Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, first round draft picks in 2009 and 2010, and a conditional third round draft pick in 2010 or 2011. In all 82 games last season with the Ducks, Pronger scored 11 goals and 37 assists for 48 points and 88 penalty minutes. In 1022 career games with the Ducks, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, and Edmonton Oilers, he has 142 goals and 464 assists for 606 points and 1457 penalty minutes. Locking up Pronger long-term definitely makes the trade worthwhile for the Flyers, as they will have a top-two defenseman under contract with them for the next several years, but I still think they gave up too much to land him. However, Pronger will bring the Flyers lots of grit, toughness, leadership, and offense on the blueline. Their only problem now is that his contract has pushed the team over the salary cap by about $1.5 million. However, the Flyers have until the start of the 2009-10 season to get below the cap, so they will have a few months to hopefully work out a salary dumping trade. If not, they may have to bury some players in the minors at the start of the season to get below the cap.