The Pronger Question

per ottawa sun:

The Blues are interested in Anaheim defenceman Chris Pronger, but not at any cost. Sources say the Ducks are demanding LW David Perron, a prospect, a first-round pick and a conditional pick. The Blues would like to bring Pronger back for a second stint, but they won’t pay that price. The Devils, Bruins, Caps and Flyers have shown interest.

When he was wearing the Blue Note, I enjoyed watching Chris Pronger play. That being said, I don’t want him back.

The Blues are fighting for a playoff spot, not a Stanley Cup. Right now the team is in 12th place in the West. They have a variety of problems — problems which won’t be solved by the addition of a large D-man.

Pronger was once a great defenseman. He could do it all and was a joy to watch. Now? He’s on the wrong side of 30 (He’s 34) and makes a ton of money in the salary cap era. He would make the defense better, sure, but at what cost?

Right now the Blues score just 2.71 goals a game, 19th in the NHL. They allow 2.84 goals a game,15th in the league. Obviously keeping the puck out of the net is something that the Blues need to work on. However, you can’t just ignore the offense.
Rumors (and they are just rumors) say that the Ducks want a player on the Blues roster. The name often mentioned is David Perron. Perron — love him or hate him — the dude is tied for second on the team in points. Who would replace his production? Pronger would help drop the goals allowed number, but would he dramatically help the goals per game number? If Pronger leaves, you know he would be replaced on the active roster by a guy like Cam Paddock.

Pronger would be a great addition to a team looking to bolster its backline for a Cup run. The Blues aren’t that team. I’m dying to get back to the playoffs, but I also remember year after year of getting bounced. I want a Cup. John Davidson and Co. came up with a plan to build around youth and cheaper players to position themselves for a legit Cup run. If the Blues were the second seed in the West, bring on Pronger. As the 12th seed, no. In a few years I hope the Blues do a move like this to put him over the top. As for now, stay the course.

It just doesn’t make any sense…averagejoe said it all, I think…we have no business trading any offensive prospect for an over 30 defenseman, especially with all the defensemen we have…I might even think about it if we had an elite goalie, but since I don’t think that person is in the organization, at least right now, I can’t do it.

Why would the Ducks trade Pronger to any Western Conference team? Why improve the opposition? Us getting him improves us more than the Ducks getting Perron and a few picks.

Enough is e-freaking-nough. I forgot how frustrating it is in trade week when the team could be in buyer-mode. At least when the Blues were obvious sellers, we knew who’d be going and didn’t have to worry about the immediate implications.

Maybe I just can’t back talent or a winner (couldn’t stand Big Mac during the Record Run; liked Proehl more than Bruce/Holt), but in all honesty – I was never a big Pronger fan and was fine with him leaving – never could understand all the you-lost-us-Pronger vitriol toward Cpt. Roboto either. Yes, the dude can play, yes he’s gone to a couple of finals (remind me again – how much did he play in his last one after his suspensions?).

But right now, this team doesn’t need him. They’ll hit the post season on their own or they won’t. And that’s fine. Right now, the Blues are playing a very basic and effective style of defense to allow teams into the zone, keep them on the outside, sightlines free for Mason, sticks in the passing lanes and bodies in front of pucks. A stand-up defensemen can play that game (especially a tall bastard like Pronger) but can’t necessarily vastly improve that type of game. And the Blues can’t adapt this late in the season to a Pronger-focused stand-’em-up-and-break-out defense.

The Blues are in the tenerable position of not needing to do something at the deadline to appease the fans. They’ve been forthright with the fans, keeping them abreast of the re-building process and exhibiting wonderful judgment and better results. There will be no accusations from Blues fans (as there are from Cards fans) that trade inactivity is the owners being cheap and trying to line their wallets. We Blues fans – a loyal bunch – are happy to ride this season out with the players we have, because they are OUR players now – every one of them (even Crombeen, Steen, and Colaiacovo) and not just a money-name end-of-season add-on.

Pronger would provide some power, yes. And he can provide some offense. But he also gives the team a $6.25 million salary to deal with next year (and guess what…no way he re-signs nor could the Blues consider re-signing him). Furthermore, this is a young team with grit coming out of their skates and pride coming out of the noses. Pronged may be tenacious, but he’s not gritty. And say all you want about his time here in St. Louis – I admit he was pretty phenomenal – but those years then don’t automatically give him pride in the Note now and the players currently on the team who have will be able to tell that Pronger doesn’t.

Phew! In other news, I may not be on the thread tonight as there may be plans to watch the game at a bar in E-ville and do trivia and eat cheap tacos. Go Blues! Fuck Detroit! Say ‘No!’ to Pronger.

I’d trade perron. You will have to constantly babysit him.

I’d say a pick and a legit prospect (say Cole, but not Petro). Now, I’m sure Anaheim would want someone who could play right away, but we don’t have that kind of depth on the NHL roster. Perron’s upside is way too high to be packaged with a pick and a prospect.

I just dont think we have the ability to do this.

Brewer for Pronger? I’m all for it. Hell, I’ll throw in Tkachuk.

As much as I liked the Tall Gap-Toothed Wonder when he was with us, we do not need him now. Especially if the price is going to be THAT ridiculous. Grab a flyer, crumple it and throw it in the garbage. Those days are over.

And I regret to inform y’all that I won’t be in tonight. It’s two-fold: 1) I’ve seen the Note play Detroit three times this season, and they lost all three times. And 2) I’m going to a high school basketball game in the Former State Capital of Illinois instead (AMERICA’S ORIGINAL MARCH MADNESS FTW!). Y’all party hard without me, but leave the futon alone – it’s important.

FUCK DETROIT!

Former State Capital of Illinois

Too bad Blago’s cuts won’t let you visit the Vandalia Capital, DK.

PS – We’re all fartin’ on the futon

Got me some upper bowl tickets tonight. I intend to leave my voice there.

Wait a year and see what the price is or better still, wait until the end of 09-10 when he’s a UFA.