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Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

Sportsnet is reporting new Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger (above, with general manager Paul Holmgren) has agreed to a seven-year contract extension. According to the report, the deal is worth a total of $35 million and will average out to a $5 million annual hit against the salary cap.

EN Says: Obviously, Pronger, 34, won't serve out that entire deal, but where is the wisdom in committing to a long-term contract like this for an older player? Especially when the NHL's salary cap could be lowered in upcoming seasons?

Pronger's a nice short term addition to the Flyers, especially at $5 million a season, but his contract is going to hinder this team in six or seven years.

(Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Posted Jul 07 2009, 03:47 PM by Seth Rorabaugh

Comments

southernBURGH wrote re: Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

on Tue, Jul 7 2009 4:58 PM

It warms the depths of my heart to see our division rivals react with sheer blind chaos in making deals to try to catch up to our beloved PENGUINS, cause they know WE ARE HERE TO STAY. Youth, Speed, & talent Islanders more then a few yrs/deals away from playoffs, NJ Devils, losing players left, right center, NYR, replace 1 albatross of a contract w/ another 1 w/ a player who can't stay healthy long enough to break in a pair of skates, & our hated rivals Philly, giving up the farm, & kitchen sink .....

dmcnerny wrote re: Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

on Tue, Jul 7 2009 5:25 PM

Get used to weak goaltending as well.

Bones wrote re: Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

on Tue, Jul 7 2009 6:15 PM

Them are some ugly jerseys...

jdd40 wrote re: Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

on Tue, Jul 7 2009 8:57 PM

I don't get this at all. Is it me or does Pronger look like Butthead?

GhostWalker38 wrote re: Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

on Tue, Jul 7 2009 9:00 PM

It's so amusing that the flyers know that can't stop Crosby & Malkin and they actually make trades to do just that.

I've never seen a team worry so much about 1 team. Truly pathetic!

ets19 wrote re: Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

on Wed, Jul 8 2009 12:57 AM

seth, can you explain the "35 rule?"

my understanding is that a player who signs a front-loaded contract under the age of 35 can retire after the age of 35 and the team will not be penalized with the cap hit. i know detroit uses this loophole effectively, and i expect that is the reason for the terms of the hossa/chicago deal (hossa will likely retire before that contract ends and the 5 mil cap hit will disappear, in the short term it reduces the annual cap hit)

is that the case with the pronger deal as well?

from a usa today article on 06

"The 'Over 35' rule was designed more to address the prospect of a diminishment in skill towards the end of players' careers than it was to address the loss of a player's services due to a legitimate injury," Daly said via e-mail. "While Mr. Mogilny's injury may be the result of cumulative trauma over the course of his career, it is by no means a typical injury."

so if signed before 35 and retire after 35.....no cap hit after retirement?

emo wrote re: Get used to Chris Pronger - 7-7-09

on Wed, Jul 8 2009 7:33 AM

Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada reports that, according to Bill Daly (NHL Deputy Commish) Pronger's contract will be on the Flyers' books for it's entire duration, whether he retires or not.

twitter.com/FriedmanHNIC

The700Level.com – Philly Sports & Minutiae:…. Get used to Chris Pronger -…. | Total Info wrote The700Level.com – Philly Sports & Minutiae:…. Get used to Chris Pronger -…. | Total Info

on Wed, Jul 8 2009 11:43 AM

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on Wed, Jul 8 2009 5:41 PM