Chris Pronger signs a 7-year extension
with the Philadelphia Flyers.
(Image Credits: Dinur)
When the Flyers sent an array of talent and future considerations to the Anaheim Ducks in return for one year of Chris Pronger wearing a jersey in Philadelphia there were certainly those out there who questioned the price paid for someone who could possibly become a one year rental. At one year Pronger does not come across as a long-term solution for the Flyers who desperately needed a "hammer" on the back end as general manager Paul Holmgren had stated numerous times. At eight years though the defenseman appears to be a fantastic pick up despite the fact that he will turn 35 as of October 10th.
In a move that is becoming more and more common among the NHL organizations, Holmgren front-loaded Pronger's contract by adding more years to the end of it at a low salary while the future hall-of-fame blueliner rakes in the big money in the early years of his 7-year deal. Because of this Pronger's hit against the salary cap ceiling remains relatively low at around $5 million a season. At that price, of course after he finishes his final year under contract at $6.25 million per year in cap hit, the seven years in Philadelphia that will carry Pronger to the age of 42 seem like a bargain.
There is no question that many defensemen in the NHL can carry their carries into their late 40s and even further, but the main issue is just how effective they can be at that age. Age though has not been exactly devastating to the carriers of defensemen like Nicklas Lidstrom who enters the final year of his contract with the Detroit Red Wings. The 39-year-old is still arguably the best blueliner in the league. Other players such as Scott Niedermayer (35), Zdeno Chara (32), Sergei Gonchar (35), Sergei Zubov (38), and even the Flyers' very own Kimmo Timonen (34) have continued their success long into their 30s. Pronger is still right there at the top of the NHL defensemen, and is arguably the Flyers' best overall player immediately despite being one of the oldest.
There is a problem though. With a contract that spans until he is 42, Pronger is not likely going to play all eight years he is under contract with the Flyers. It's entirely possible that he does, but that is a long time for any player to compete at the NHL level. Retirement is certainly one thing that is on everyone's mind with what is, in all honesty, a lifetime deal. Pronger said that he wanted to retire as a Philadelphia Flyer, and with this deal it will certainly come to that whether it is before he has completed it or after.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) specifies that should any player sign a contract at the age of 35 or over and retire before the end of his contract the team would be responsible for the player's salary and salary cap penalties. It would in essence be as if the new Flyers' hammer was on the roster and playing but could not actually take the ice.
The only salvation that the Flyers may have should Chris Pronger retire before the end of his contract is that he actually signed the contract at the age of 34. This should not matter though according to the CBA because his new contract takes effect after he has turned 35. Currently there is a disconnect in information between the CBA and what is being reported, but it should clear up soon.
For the immediate future at least, big name defenseman Chris Pronger will be in Philadelphia longer than the one season currently left on his prior contract.
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