2011 NHL Draft Live Blog

The Flyers And Penguins Make A Trade At The Draft

The Flyers have a grand total of 0 draft picks, but holy hell was today full of Flyers rumors. The most prominent one being that the Flyers want the rights of Evgeni Nabokov. They are apparently in competition with one other team, who is yet to be named. The deal could get done either later tonight or tomorrow, sources are contradicting themselves, as they have all evening long.

As far as the Flyers trading the rights to Dan Hamhuis to Pittsburgh is concerned, let's make one thing perfect, the Flyers did exactly that. They traded away his rights. His rights. Pittsburgh still has to sign him, and if the rumors are true that Hamhuis only wants to play for a Western Conference team (or Pittsburgh just can't sign him), the Flyers would have officially conned the Pittsburgh Penguins out of a 3rd round draft pick in the 2011 draft. That ain't too shabby, folks. But if he does sign with Pittsburgh, then it is definitely trouble for the Flyers as Pittsburgh signing Hamhuis would likely make Pittsburgh better, provided he does not give them the big cap hit that he is projected to give wherever he does end up signing and Pittsburgh keep Sergei Gonchar, which is looking more and more unlikely. Sergei Gonchar is better than Hamhuis, and if Hamhuis is Gonchar's direct replacement, then once again, the Flyers would have just conned the Penguins.

Now the million dollar question: Is Evgeni Nabokov the next goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers? Unless the Sharks give the Flyers the world's greatest discount, the answer better be no.

So What NHL Player Is Worth Giving Up Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, This Year's 1st Round Pick, And Next Year's First Round Pick?

The answer, at least according to the Philadelphia Flyers is none other than Chris Pronger! Via NHL.com

The Anaheim Ducks kicked off the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in memorable fashion, dealing veteran defenseman Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers moments before the New York Islanders selected John Tavares with the first pick.

The Flyers shipped prospect Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupul and two first-round picks: this season's No. 21 and next season's first-round pick.

Pronger, 34, was one of several players being actively shopped here this week. He became even more expendable when veteran defenseman Scott Niedermayer reportedly told the Ducks that he would return for another season, instead of retiring.

This past season Pronger played in all 82 games, scoring 11 goals and 48 points. He also had 88 penalty minutes and will give the Flyers a rugged presence on the blue line, something they were lacking after losing Derian Hatcher to an injury-induced retirement.

While the Flyers certainly need a defensemen, especially after Hatcher's retirement, what worries me is Pronger's age and the fact that the Flyers paid such a high price to get him. I can live with saying goodbye to Lupul and Spisa, a young prospect, but I think that 2 first round picks might be a lot, if not too much for him. One 1st round draft pick, whether it be this year's and next year's along with Spisa and Lupul and I would consider this deal an absolute win. It's that 2nd 1st rounder that has worried that the Flyers paid too many bucks for the bang of a 34-year old defensemen, even though it is Chris Pronger.

Regardless, I certainly hope that Pronger still has gas and the tank and despite the high price, I am excited and glad to see that Chris Pronger is now a Flyer!

Update: According to Puck Daddy, the Flyers have also received Ryan Dingle from the Anaheim Ducks in this deal. Trust me, you're not the only one asking, "Who on earth.....???" I'm pretty sure he's a young prospect....