Chris Pronger is one of the best defenseman in NHL history. The four-time All-Star played over 1,100 NHL games and has a Stanley Cup, Norris Trophy, Hart Trophy, two Olympic gold medals and a spot in the Hall of Fame to show for it. He spent the last 145 games of his career for the Philadelphia Flyers where he was the missing link for a Flyers Stanley Cup run despite coming up short.
Pronger was traded to Philly from the Anaheim Ducks on June 6, 2009 along with Ryan Dingle in exchange for Luca Sbisa, Joffrey Lupul, a 2009 first round pick, and a 2010 first round pick.
So, breaking down the Flyers side of the trade would look like this.
LUCA SBISA-
Adam Foote was drafted 22nd in 1989 by the Nordiques.
Foote signed as a FA in Columbus on August 1, 2005.
Foote was traded to Colorado on 2/26/08 for 2008 1st (Sbisa) and 2009 4th (David Savard).
The Blue Jackets traded 2008 1st (Sbisa) and 2008 3rd (Marc-Andre Bourdon) to Philly on June 20, 2008 for RJ Umberger and a 2008 4th round pick (Drew Olson).
Sbisa was drafted 19th overall in 2008 by the Flyers.
JOFFERY LUPUL- was drafted 7th overall by Anaheim in 2002.
LADISLAV SMID- was drafted 9th overall in 2004 by the Ducks.
The Ducks traded Lupul and Smid to Edmonton along with a 2007 1st (Nick Ross), a 2008 1st (Jordan Eberle) and a 2008 2nd (Travis Hamonic) in exchange for Chris Pronger in July of 2006.
DAVE ELLETT-
Mike O’Connell was drafted 43 overall by Chicago in 1975.
O’Connell was traded from Chicago to Boston for Al Secord on 12/18/80.
Chicago traded Secord and Ed Olczyk to Toronto for Bob McGill, Steve Thomas, Rick Vaive in September of 1987.
Olczyk and Mark Osborne were traded from Toronto to Winnipeg for Dave Ellett and Paul Fenton November 10, 1990.
DOUG GILMOUR-
Brian Bradley was drafted 51st in 1983 by The Flames.
Kevan Guy was drafted 71st by Calgary in 1983.
Peter Bakovic was signed as an undrafted FA by Calgary on 10/10/85.
Bradley, Guy, and Bakovic were traded to Vancouver for Craig Coxe on March 6, 1988.
Coxe along with Mark Bullard and Tim Corkery were traded to St. Louis in exchange for Steve Bozek, Michael Dark, Doug Gilmour, and Mark Hunter September 6, 1988.
JASON SMITH-
Toronto traded Gilmour and Ellett with a 1999 3rd (Andre Lakos) to NJ for Jason Smith, Steve Sullivan, and the rights to Alyn McCauley on February 25, 1997.
The Leafs traded Jason Smith to Edmonton for a 1999 4th round pick (Jonathan Zion), and a 2000 2nd round pick (Kris Vernarsky) on 3/29/99.
Jason Smith and Joffrey Lupul were traded to Philadelphia from Edmonton on July 1, 2007 in exchange for Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, and a 2009 third round pick (Cameron Abney).
Lupul, Sbisa, along with a 2009 first round pick (John Moore), and a 2010 first round pick Emerson Etem) for Chris Pronger.
Pronger would provide the spark the Flyers needed to make a serious push, as they made the Stanley Cup Finals during his first season in Philly. Though injuries limited his next two seasons, and eventually forced him into retirement. Pronger is remembered fondly by the Flyers faithful as a leader on the ice and a man that helped give the fans a taste of glory.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: bleacherreport.com
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