Pronger perfect for Flyers

Chris Pronger will fit perfectly with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Needing a guy who could make life miserable for the other team according to Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, the Flyers stole the spotlight at Friday night's NHL draft, trading for one of the best defenseman in the league.

Considered by many the meanest and nastiest defender in the league, Pronger will provide a huge boost to a team that lacked a power guy in the back last season, especially when it comes to the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

"It’s obviously a city that is very passionate about the sport of hockey," Pronger said. "The style of play the Flyers have been known to play certainly fits my game. They got some great young talent. I hope to help develop the team, not be one of the top teams in the league, but win the Stanley Cup. That’s why we all play the game. To win."

The trade came at a high price for the Flyers, who gave up winger Joffrey Lupul, promising young defenseman Luca Sbisa, this years first round pick, next years first round pick, and a conditional pick next year.

However, the Flyers are in a position where they have been close to winning now and Pronger certainly makes them a better team.

Pronger, 34, will become a free agent after the season, but Holmgren will look to sign him to a longer deal.

Pronger also brings a veteran leadership to a team that sorely lacked it last season.

From a public standpoint, the deal for Pronger came out of nowhere. Prior to the draft, all of the talk was about the Flyers trying to trade with Florida for the rights to Jay Bouwmeester. However, nothing materialized on that front.