Mere hours after the NHL Draft came to a close in South Florida, Flyers GM Ron Hextall continued his rebuild of this team. It was announced on late Saturday afternoon that the team has moved the contract of injured defenseman Chris Pronger, and shot-blocking wizard Nicklas Grossma n to the Arizona Coyotes for 26-year old Sam Gagner, and Arizona’s choice of a 2016 4th round draft pick, or 2017 3rd round pick. This deal has sent some shockwaves through the NHL, in the short time since it was announced. To my knowledge, it is the first time that a current NHL Employee (not on the ice) has been traded.
This deal is significant for a number of reasons. With the trade of Pronger’s contract, his cap hit no longer counts towards the Flyers, allowing them to free up $4.91 Million in cap room. That money will play a HUGE role in the team’s pursuit of a top-flight winger. By moving Grossy, the team also saved an additional $3.5 Million in cap space. Acquiring Gagner also means that the team will absorb his $3.3 Million cap hit, however recent reports have suggested that Ron Hextall and co. are looking to buy-out the 26-year old former top prospect. Buying out his contract, would constitute a payment of one-third of his contract. By buying out his contract, the team would save an additional $2.7 Million, bringing their total savings to about $7.3 Million.
In his three seasons with the Orange & Black, Pronger recorded 15 goals, 77 assists, for a total of 92 points. He was one of the cornerstone of the Flyers franchise, and was a vital part of the team’s magical 2010 Stanley Cup Final run. Unfortunately, Pronger’s hall of fame career came to a devestating end. Initially shutdown in December 2011 as a result of post-concussion syndrome, it was later discovered that he was also suffering from sight issues due to an incident with than Maple Leafs star Mhikail Grabovski, in which Pronger took a stick to the eye.
Tags: chris pronger, Flyers News, Flyers Rumors, Philly rumors, Philly Sports Media, Philly Sports News, Pronger traded, Ryan Waterman, TalkSportsPhilly
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