It’s nearly the center of September, however why don’t we proceed our summer season collection, inspecting vital offseason transactions made by the Anaheim Geese of their 30-season historical past? To this point, we’ve coated the unique acquisition of Chris Pronger in 2006 and the commerce of Bobby Ryan in 2013. Right here’s a take a look at the second noteworthy transaction involving Pronger (and Joffrey Lupul, coincidentally) – his 2009 commerce to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Pronger Period in Anaheim Was Brief however Candy
Historical past classes may be enjoyable, particularly once they contain among the largest moments in franchise historical past, which included Pronger’s three-season run in a Geese uniform. These moments, in fact, embrace the franchise’s solely Stanley Cup Championship in 2007 and an all-time upset over the Presidents’ Trophy-winning San Jose Sharks within the first spherical of the 2009 Playoffs.
In the summertime of 2006, Pronger joined a refined Geese roster coming off a shock run to the Western Convention Remaining. The Geese have been flush with elite veteran and younger expertise that included Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer, Rob Niedermayer, Andy McDonald, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Dustin Penner, and Chris Kunitz. Their goaltending was secured with Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ilya Bryzgalov. However to then-Normal Supervisor Brian Burke’s credit score, he didn’t sit on his laurels, hoping his workforce would recover from the hump the next season. No, he went out and nabbed Pronger, who grew to become the piece that made the Geese an absolute pressure from the opening faceoff to the final whistle of the 2006-07 season.
Associated: Geese’ Offseason Acquisitions Revisited: Chris Pronger
The Geese’ bid to repeat ended with a first-round collection loss to the Dallas Stars in 2008. Nevertheless, Pronger and the Geese had an excellent ending to the 2008-09 season that propelled them right into a fiery first-round matchup with the division rival Sharks, who completed the season with a 26-point lead in standings factors.
Pronger additionally eclipsed the 1,000 NHL video games mark throughout his time with the Geese and spent a while as captain whereas Scott Niedermayer thought-about retirement. He additionally had his second-best statistical season (his greatest on a points-per-game foundation) in 2006-07, when he posted 59 factors in 66 video games. Nothing lasts without end, sadly, and Pronger’s tenure got here to an finish after the 2009 postseason.
The Commerce Didn’t Internet an Affect Participant in Return
For all of his hockey prowess and credentials, Pronger was traded a whopping 4 instances in his profession (not counting the trades following his career-ending harm). That’s uncommon for a participant of his caliber. Bob Murray, Geese Normal Supervisor on the time, acknowledged Pronger’s elite skills and accomplishments however felt the commerce needed to occur, and it netted the Geese a reunion with Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and two first-round picks, certainly one of which grew to become Emerson Etem. Whereas it appeared like an amazing haul, destiny had different concepts.
Accidents restricted Lupul to 49 video games over the following two seasons earlier than he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sbisa by no means established himself as a top-four defenseman and was additionally shipped out in a package deal deal for Ryan Kesler (extra on that coming this week) after a number of seasons. The identical went for Etem, who was a feel-good story as a California native taking part in for his hometown workforce, however he couldn’t break via a crowded ahead group in Anaheim and was traded after the 2014-15 season.
In the meantime, Pronger instantly grew to become the person on the blue line for the Flyers, who already had a crop of younger expertise with Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, James Van Riemsdyk, and Claude Giroux. He led them to a Stanley Cup Remaining look in his first season with the membership. Nevertheless, like a lot of the gamers concerned within the commerce, he solely lasted a number of seasons with the membership he was traded to. Put up-concussion syndrome ensuing from a critical eye harm reduce Pronger’s profession quick in 2012.
The Geese Haven’t Been Shy About Buying and selling Invaluable Items
Historical past has proven that the Geese will not be afraid to commerce an affect participant if it means getting a giant return. Each Pronger and Bobby Ryan had good hockey left in them, however as quickly as the fitting provide crossed administration’s desk, they didn’t hesitate to chop both of them unfastened. That’s a part of the sport. Even essentially the most vital items of a workforce may be traded. However those self same administration teams have been equally aggressive at bringing in items. Pronger, in fact, was on the opposite aspect of the equation in 2006.
Pat Verbeek Can Study One thing From Previous Geese GMs
What does all of this imply for the present-day Geese? Properly, it’s onerous to say how, or if, transactions made by earlier GMs will affect Verbeek and his workforce. However there are at all times takeaways, reminiscent of at all times being able to push for elite expertise if it turns into accessible. Figuring out the fitting time to half, or not half, with prime items. Not hesitating to be aggressive if there’s a probability to dramatically enhance a workforce.
Possibly Normal Supervisor Pat Verbeek is staying prepared with totally different packages to supply groups with an affect participant, ought to one change into accessible. Burke did it in 2006 when he acquired Pronger. Murray did it in 2009 when he traded Pronger and in 2013 when he traded Ryan. Verbeek should be evaluating daily who shall be a part of the Geese’ future. The on-ice analysis will start in a number of quick weeks when gamers throughout the group descend upon Orange County for coaching camp.
What do you suppose? Did the Geese commerce Pronger on the proper time, or did he deserve one other run with Niedermayer, Getzlaf, Selanne, Perry, and firm?
