Isles take Tavares No. 1 overall
Ducks trade Pronger to Philadelphia
MONTREAL—John Tavares had to share the spotlight with a big defenseman Friday night at the NHL draft, but it wasn’t the one he’s been linked with for months.
The New York Islanders used the first overall selection on Tavares, choosing to start their rebuilding process with the high-scoring forward rather than hulking defenseman Victor Hedman.
But while Tavares was conducting his interviews, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stepped to the Bell Centre podium to announce a doozy of a deal. The Anaheim Ducks traded superstar defenseman Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers, giving the Broad Street Bullies a 6- foot-6 mountain of mean for their blue line.
“We are trying to win now, and we think Chris is the guy who can help us do that,” Philadelphia General Manager Paul Holmgren said. “First, he is a proven winner. Second, he brings size and a nice physical presence. He is an excellent fit on our team. I think he’ll make all of our other defensemen better. He’ll be an excellent role model for all of our young players.”
The Flyers gave up forward Joffrey Lupul, defensive prospect Luca Sbisa (the 18th overall selection last year), two first-round picks (including the 21st pick Friday) and a conditional third-round pick in exchange for Pronger and forward Ryan Dingle.
Holmgren acknowledged that the package was “a lot to give up. Ask me a year from now or a couple of years from now if it’s worth it,” he said.
It likely won’t be the last move for the Flyers. Pronger, who will earn $6.25 million in the final year of his contract, became the sixth Philadelphia player to have a salary of $5 million or more. Even though the league announced the salary cap will rise $100,000 to $56.8 million this season, the Flyers will have a difficult time budgeting their cash.
Speculation immediately surrounded former Sabres captain Daniel Briere, who has six years left on his contract with an annual cap hit of $6.5 million.
Pronger became available when the Ducks learned that defenseman Scott Niedermayer intended to come back to the NHL for another season.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised,” Pronger said. “When you hear it once, you brush it off. You hear it twice, you brush it off. When you hear it persistently over and over again, you start to think it’s going to be a reality, and you start planning and preparing yourself and family that you’re going to be moving.”
Holmgren said he had not talked to Pronger’s agent about extending his contract. Those talks will take place in the near future, said Holmgren, who was the Hartford general manager when Pronger signed his first pro contract with the Whalers in 1993.
The Islanders, meanwhile, had refused to reveal whether they would select Tavares or Hedman. The suspense lingered until General Manager Garth Snow announced Tavares’ name to the roar of the fans who filled the Bell Centre.
“It was obviously a great moment for me and a special feeling,” said Tavares, who received hugs from a large contingent of family members, including his uncle, the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse legend with the same name. “Just all the hard work and things I’ve gone through in my life, and all of the support I’ve had from my family, it’s just a great moment for everybody to be sharing it with.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning, with the second pick, didn’t keep Hedman waiting. They took the 6-6 Swedish star to anchor their blue line.
“They struggled a little bit this year, so I look forward to turning things around with that team,” Hedman said.
The Tavares-Hedman debate was a philosophical one since both figure to shine in the NHL. The Isles had to decide on a forward who set the Ontario Hockey League career scoring record or a blue-liner who can eat up ice time and opposing forwards.
“I think it’s a great debate,” Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said. “It’s one of those things that will be followed in years after.”
While most eyes were focused on Montreal, there was news about 2,600 miles southwest. Jerry Reinsdorf, who already owns the Chicago Bulls and White Sox, made a $148 million offer to purchase the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes. The offer is $64.5 million less than the $212.5 million put forth by Jim Balsillie, who intended to move the Coyotes to Hamilton, Ont., before being blocked by the bankruptcy judge.
“We wish Mr. Reinsdorf well. He is a fine professional sports owner,” Balsillie spokesman Bill Walker said. “Jim Balsillie’s effort to purchase the Coyotes and relocate the team to Hamilton continues.”
Rounds Two through Seven of the draft will be conducted today in the Bell Centre, but it’s unlikely any excitement will top the 18th selection Friday night. The fans roared as the hometown Habs got on the clock, then shouted even louder when the team took Francophone Louie Leblanc.
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