Comments on: Chris Pronger’s contract, health could be a big problem for the Philadelphia Flyers

By: whatagreatfootballmind

whatagreatfootballmind — Tue, 10 May 2011 01:10:04 +0000

Then why trade for a player who has a 4.92 million contract who is 37 when you can sign a free agent who is younger?

By: tommytd

tommytd — Sun, 08 May 2011 23:21:54 +0000

Chrissy Pronger is a MORON.

By: psujay

psujay — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:45:52 +0000

You’re missing the point, a team like Phoenix who struggles to get to the cap floor, and therefore cares far more about real dollars than cap dollars, would love to pick up that contract in exchange for a throwaway contract (think a guy with an NHL contract who is stuck in the minors because the team made a mistake). A deep pocketed team wouldn’t care about the lost money, while the poorer team suddenly has $5M of cap hit for $525k of actual dollars. You don’t think the ownership of such a team would love that? You’re sorely mistaken.

No team that can field 95%+ of the salary cap would do that, but any team who is financially struggling would love to pay below the floor but have a cap number above the floor. It’s just good business.

By: whatagreatfootballmind

whatagreatfootballmind — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:10:10 +0000

In theory that is a great idea. However, you would have to ask yourself (or the team) why would they take a 37 year old defensemen who’s under contract for 6 more years at 4.92 million a year cap hit? No team, would ever take that. GM’s who sign these players to long term contracts who don’t live up not only ruin the team currently, but also in the future. Just ask the Minnesota Wild who are STILL paying Mark Parrish’s ridicilous contract. Parrish’s contract cost Doug Risebrough his job and the Wild have no room with the cap and are still paying 1.5 million a year for him so it’s tough to sign a free agent or swing a trade.

Even if the Flyers (or whoever trades for him) buys him out, that team is stuck 2.46 million a year through the 2022-23 season. Again, no team will do that either! Team like the Islanders and Blackhawks will run into this same exact problem when DiPietro and Hossa deals are in their later years.

By: psujay

psujay — Sun, 08 May 2011 17:21:30 +0000

One would think the Union would love this, as the Flyers have shown the WILL spend any money they have (and then some, if possible). Therefore, moving a contract like this around will give the Flyers the opportunity to spend more money on players rather than have a deep pocketed franchise unable to spend $5M per year.

By: James O'Brien

James O'Brien — Sun, 08 May 2011 15:37:52 +0000

True, there are some interesting trade-related options. That might be a good way out for the Flyers, indeed.

By: psujay

psujay — Sun, 08 May 2011 15:17:25 +0000

So if they trade him to a team like Phoenix or Nashville (teams trying to get TO the salary floor, not trying to get below the cap) and then he retires the next day, those teams gets free cap $$ while only spending $525k right? Sounds like it could be an asset as long as he plays ball.

By: sknut

sknut — Sun, 08 May 2011 13:26:35 +0000

The Flyers can only hope that the cap keeps going up. Its a risk for these long term contracts but teams tend to think more short sighted and less about long term implications.