Thanks to Pronger, the Oilers Profit from Ducks' Success

You'd never have thunk it, but the Edmonton Oilers' brass was cheering heavily for the Anaheim Ducks to make the Stanley Cup Finals.

The reason? The Oilers now get the Ducks first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Lowe held out for an extra first-rounder last July after Ducks GM Brian Burke agreed to give up a first-round choice in this June's draft in Columbus. If Anaheim won the West in 2007, the Oilers would get a first-rounder next June. If they won in 2008, it was a first-round pick that year. If not, the same scenario held for 2009.

"I wouldn't have done the deal for Chris just for the four assets we got," said Lowe, who drove a hard bargain over Pronger, also nabbing Ladislav Smid, Joffrey Lupul, a first-rounder this June and a second-rounder in 2008.

A hard bargain? Really? Wouldn't you think quite a few NHL teams would have come up with a better package to secure one of the most dominant players in the game? I recall quite a few people laughing at the Oilers, including Oilers fans (in between the tears of pain and anger) for getting so little in return in a very rushed trade.

Do you really think the Ducks are all that upset about losing a low pick in the first round for the shot at the Stanley Cup? Methinks not.

Joffrey Lupul? He scored a whopping 28 points and went -29 (!) in 81 games.
Ladislav Smid? He'll be a solid defenseman, eventually, but he's no Chris Pronger and never will be.

The low first and second round picks? What are the chances they will turn into an impact NHLer, especially given the Oilers track record? The draft is a lottery at the best of times, especially after the Top 15 picks.

While Oilers fans will be relieved to get a little more out of the Pronger deal, don't think the Ducks didn't get the better of this deal by a country mile.

See also:
Ducks GM Whips Out Protractor: Defends Pronger.
Pronger Suspended for Game Four Against Detroit.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-23-2007 @ 3:52PM

J.P. said...

The criticism with respect to Lupul is with a bit of 20/20 hindsight - at this time last year, he was a 22-year-old coming off a 28-goal season after having been drafted seventh overall. No one really saw this past season's stinker coming, did they?

And further in Lowe's defense, Pronger had significantly eroded his bargaining position by demanding the trade.

But yeah, an easy win for the Ducks (obviously).

5-23-2007 @ 5:05PM

Hooks_Orpik said...

Obviously the Ducks win, they get Chris Pronger (duh) but compare what Edmonton got compared to what they gave up to St. Louis to acquire Pronger.

``Eric Brewer is a top 4 defenseman and very serviceable.
``Jeff Woywitka only appeared in 34 NHL games this season for St. Louis.
``Doug Lynch hopped between the AHL and the ECHL.

Smid seems like he'll be a steady contributor for years to come (though not quite the level of Brewer) and Lupul, as mentioned, is still young and though he had a bad year, still has a lot of NHL experience. Plus two first rounders who could be roster contributors for years to come, straight up busts and everything in between.

Considering the leverage Lowe had (practically none) I think he did a pretty good job to bring back some young talent and potential.

5-23-2007 @ 5:07PM

The point being, I'd certainly trade Brewer, Woywitka and Lynch for Smid, Lupul, TWO 1st rounders, and a 2nd.

Plus you get a magical year in 05-06 with Chris Pronger that resulted in being one W away from the Cup.

5-23-2007 @ 6:18PM

Doogie2K said...

I think the point is more that Lowe wouldn't have done Lupul, Smid, first, and second for Pronger, but toss in a second first, but only if the Ducks make the Finals, and now he's game? I wonder if he's lost his mind.

5-23-2007 @ 8:23PM

Jamie Fitz said...

Given the corner Lowe was backed into, I doubt he could have done a lot better. Smid looks very good, Lupul looked good on the day the deal was made. For all we know the Ducks might nosedive next season, turning the 2008 pick into a high one.

Compare the Pronger deal to other recent blockbusters: The Luongo and Thornton trades were awful. The Forsberg return looks comparable to the Pronger return: young forward, young defenseman and a couple of picks. Right now Upshall/Parent looks like a better package than Lupul/Smid. But it will be a few years before we know for sure.

Jes, if you suspect "quite a few NHL teams would have come up with a better package," what do you realistically think that package might have been?

5-23-2007 @ 9:05PM

Jes Golbez said...

Jamie, that would be quite a lot of work to go back and time and formulate more deals.

Just because Boston and Nashville got ripped bad doesn't mean the Oilers didn't get shafted. Lupul was a risky young player and everyone (even the Oilers, surely) knew it. I'll also add that the Oilers did not have to trade Pronger when they did. They could have waiting until they got a better offer, but Lowe felt rushed and it showed.

As for the Blues/Oilers deal, plz don't remind me. I am a Blues fan, and it's painful watching Pronger succeed elsewhere.