The Flyers announced that they have signed newly acquired defenseman Chris Pronger to a seven year contract extension, to begin when his current contract expires after the coming season. It was a little surprising that a 35-year old received a seven year deal, but Pronger indicated that he wants to play for a good number more seasons. The deal is front-loaded – $7 million in the first two years winding down to around $500,000 the last two seasons. It’s good that the Flyers won’t lose Pronger after just one season, but hopefully he’ll stay healthy. Otherwise, the Flyers may have gotten themselves into a situation similar to what they experienced with an aging and injured Derian Hatcher on the roster.
Trade rumors persist regarding winger Scott Hartnell. The Los Angeles Kings are very interested in him and they would like to acquire another winger. Hartnell would have to waive his no-trade clause; he may do so to go to L.A. as he would be near his bud, Joffrey Lupul, who was traded to Anaheim. Lupul and Hartnell lived in the same condo in the Old City section of Philadelphia. If you think about it, although Hartnell is extremely popular in Philly and had a career season in terms of scoring, trading him could fit into the remaking of the team that we are seeing with the acquisition of serious-minded, defensive players who take losing very seriously: Pronger, Ian Laperrierre, and Ray Emery. Hartnell is sometimes an undisciplined player who takes bad penalties. Kings’ defenseman Jack Johnson’s name continues to surface in rumors as well. The Flyers would love to have him. Imagine a top four of Pronger, Timonen, Coburn, and Johnson. Also, consider that Hartnell’s style of play is in the mold of Kings’ Assistant GM and former Flyer goalie Ron Hextall. But I think the Flyers would need a winger as part of the deal; they couldn’t afford to give up Hartnell without getting some scoring in return as thin as they are on the wing.
Finally, The Flyers may be looking at signing Devils’ Brendan Shanahan to a one-year contract. They need another winger, he would fit into the new defensive re-make, and he could be had inexpensively. He wouldn’t be scoring much, however.


The Flyers made a big trade at Friday’s Entry Draft, acquiring 6′6, 221-pound defenseman Chris Pronger from Anaheim for right wing Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, and two first round draft picks in thie year’s and next year’s drafts. Minor-league forward Ryan Dingle also came to the Flyers in the deal. With this move, the Flyers get the huge, banging defenseman that they needed to clear the front of the net, a problem that was glaring in the first-round loss to Pittsburgh. The Flyers were rumored to be interested in acquiring Pronger at the March trade deadline but couldn’t do it because of salary cap issues. 

