NHL Draft

[PghSteel-43]

TSN reporting that Pronger is now a Flyer...ugh. http://twitter.com/darrendreger

And so much for the Kaberle/Kessel trade...

Breaking news.

It appears the potential trade involving the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs is at the very least on hold and quite possibly dead.

TSN reported this morning that the Bruins had offered Phil Kessel in exchange for Tomas Kaberle and Toronto's No. 7 overall pick in today's draft.

It was later reported that the Leafs No. 7 pick was not included in the deal and Boston was in fact adding a significant pick in the package.

It turns out there was apparently major miscommunication between the two teams. Boston did indeed believe they were getting the No. 7 pick from the Leafs but Toronto is apparently not interested in making that move.

So, for now anyway, the deal does not look as though it will happen, certainly in that form.

Stay tuned.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=282967

[PghSteel-43]

It has been confirmed.

The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenceman Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenceman Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupul and two first-round picks.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=282981

LOL@PHILLY!!!!

[Merman1983]

Damn, Pronger is only signed for one year, but that is going to be one fucking good team next year.

[PghSteel-43]

It depends on what they have to give up in order to fit him under the cap.  They are going to have to dump some big names to fit him in.  

Eitherway, that's a chunk to give up in order to get an aging Pronger.  It basically amounts to...

The Flyers give up:

2008 First Round Pick (Sbisa)

2009 First Round Pick

2010 First Round Pick

A 25 year old forward who netted your team 25 goals last season (Lupul)

The Flyers get:

A 34 year old Chris Pronger

Ryan Dingle

Since 1975 and it's no wonder why.  That's overpayment if I ever saw it.

[Merman1983]

It depends on what they have to give up in order to fit him under the cap.  They are going to have to dump some big names to fit him in.  

Eitherway, that's a chunk to give up in order to get an aging Pronger.  It basically amounts to...

The Flyers give up:

2008 First Round Pick (Sbisa)

2009 First Round Pick

2010 First Round Pick

A 25 year old forward who netted your team 25 goals last season (Lupul)

The Flyers get:

A 34 year old Chris Pronger

Ryan Dingle

Since 1975 and it's no wonder why.  That's overpayment if I ever saw it.

Yeah it's not the package I would have given up for a one-year rental but if they feel Pronger get's them over the hump then I guess it's a positive trade for them. I know I'm not looking forward to having to deal with Pronger when we play Philly multiple times next year. I guess they have enough scoring depth in their top 9 to give up a 25 goal guy, but those two first rounders are going to hurt over the next few years.

In short, they better win it all next year.

[PghSteel-43]

I'm guessing they will try and dump Briere in order to free up some cash.  

I still can't get over this trade.  It's a typical idiotic Flyer trade.  See a big name, trade anything and everything to get him, fall short come playoff time.  Repeat process all over again in 2010.  

They still don't have a goaltender, so good luck to them if they want to go deep come playoff time.  Emery is not the answer. 

[PghSteel-43]

And the Penguins first round pick is Simon Despres.  Fwiw, Central Scouting had him ranked 18th overall in the draft.

Name: Simon Despres
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-3
Weight: 214 lbs
Birthdate: 1991-07-27
Eligible for Draft: 2009
Drafted: 2009
Hometown: Laval, Quebec
Acquired: 1st round (30th overall), 2009 by PIT
Playing In: CHL

History<Talent Analysis

At 6'4 and 215 pounds, Despres has the physical tools to make the lives of attacking players difficult as they enter the zone. Meanwhile, he already has the poise and intelligence to make the safe and, more importantly, correct play in his own zone. His vision and ability to anticipate the play also benefit him in offensive situations, where he saw his point totals more than double over the previous year.

Future

Will remain in junior in 2009-10.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/simon_despres

<Saint John Sea Dogs head coach Jacques Beaulieu<

http://nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=5238&tab=scr

Simon Despres - #30 overall Pittsburgh Penguins

[Merman1983]

I'm no hockey draft expert but it seems to be a very good pick. Besides the obvious of getting the 18th ranked prospect at 30, you've got to like the sound of his game. 6-4 215 lb. defensman that can move the puck out of his zone. Sign me up.

[PghSteel-43]

I'm no hockey draft expert but it seems to be a very good pick. Besides the obvious of getting the 18th ranked prospect at 30, you've got to like the sound of his game. 6-4 215 lb. defensman that can move the puck out of his zone. Sign me up.

Going by all of the scouting reports, it sounds like he could possibly turn into a pretty solid defensive-defenseman.  We already have our two offensive-defensemen in Tanger and Gogo, so it's good to see us go after a more physical stay-at-home defenseman for the future.

While I was hoping for Olsen to fall to us, only time will truly tell, but it looks like a pretty solid pick.

[PghSteel-43]

Rossi's opinion on day one of the draft...

2009 Draft: Day 1 Recap
Posted June 27, 2009 12 :04 AM

Quick thoughts from Day 1 of the 2009 NHL entry draft at Bell Center:

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<FLYERS SNAG PRONGER<

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/chippediceblog/