I see cap ramifications here again. Dux wanted to move Pronger to free up money for Beauchemin and Wisnieski who have emerged. Lupul makes the money work, which was good for Flyers to get rid off, since I thought he would be tuff to trade. But Sbisa plus two first rounders to boot? Sbisa didn't get a fair shake and I think could have pushed either Carle or Jones for a job this year. Flyers also got a center in return but I don't know anything about him. If he's anyone, perhaps my mind changes.
Dux fans meanwhile are unhappy to have Lupul back for Pronger in a reversal of a deal they made a few years ago to get Pronger. They know nothing about Sbisa and are overlooking 2 first round pix.
Pronger is def an upgrade at #3 (after Timo/Coburn but ahead of Parent/Carle), so that should solidify the top 2 pairings. But slowness on D just increased with Sbisa out and Pronger in, and so is it safe to pair him with Parent, or are those two going to be skated by constantly? I'm already having visions of Pronger chasing breakaways from behind.
But maybe toughness wins out here, cuz that is something that is lacking and which Pronger def can bring. I just wish if they were going to throw around pix and prospects so liberally, I would have liked them to make a run at some of the very solid D young guys I mentioned throughout the playoffs (Wisnieski, Erskine) instead. Pronger might have 2-3 yrs left in him.
I think pronger is their new #1 and perhaps this can be salvaged by pairing him with carle, who could try to be neidermayer, but neidermayer is atleast competent in his own zone.
ReplyDeleteFlyers also need to address their 3rd and 4th lines. In the playoffs, your most important lines are your 3rd and 4th. That's what won the cup for Pittsburgh this year and it is what won it last year for Detroit. Detroit didn't have anything going after their top two lines this year.
No way he unseats Timonen, IMO, and it doesn't make sense to play Timo and Pronger together.
ReplyDeletePronger was #3 with the Dux.
I do fear, however, what the refs might think of Pronger in the orange and black. I hope we don't get hit with Downie syndrome.
Prescient comments.
ReplyDelete