Pronger signs: 1 year @ $10M

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Canadian Press

7/30/2004

When the NHL season starts, the St. Louis Blues will have their best defenceman signed and ready.

According to Friday's edition of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Chris Pronger and the Blues agreed to a one-year deal that will pay Pronger a salary of $9.5 million with a $500,000 signing bonus.

"It was a fun process," Pronger told the paper. "Talking to other teams and seeing what's out there. It was a good learning experience."

The Blues qualified Pronger by June 30 for $9 million, giving them the right to match any offers he received or guaranteeing them compensation if he signed elsewhere.

The 29-year old set a career high with 14 goals last season.

Pronger, who was an restricted free agent spent some of July meeting with other teams.

*

Those poor owners, hemorrhaging money so badly and determined to presage the new CBA by demonstrating fiscal responsibility. God bless 'em.

[blaise]

No wonder they can't afford Pavol Demitra.

[blny]

In defence, Pronger was an RFA wasn't he? They had to qualify him. Instead of having him hold out in the event negotiations for a smaller contract went sour they balked and signed their biggest name. They aren't terribly deep on defence. McInnis may have to retire. After that it's Pronger, Jackman, and slew of relative no-names. I think it's a ridiculous sum of money, but I think they were really over a barrel.

I wonder if there were legit offers from other clubs that forced Pleau's hand. Pronger saying it was a fun process certainly raises an eyebrow.

[drkcloud]

Watching all these 1 yr contracts, i would say that the owners are planning definitely not to have hockey next year and are trying to maintain players rights with no intention of the salary getting paid.

To me, Pronger's signing at 9.5 mil illustrates this point.

[roke]

Well, I was checking out the NHLPA website for Bonk's salary and their player of the day is.... Chris Pronger. Being the twisted person that I am I find it ironic that he is player of the day after he signs a $10 million contract.

[LoupDogg]

Wow.

I'm sure he deserve every single penny. Negociating never was that much fun.

I'll have to re-read those news during the course of next year. They'll convince me that it's a good thing that there is no NHL hockey.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

M. said:

"It was a fun process," Pronger told the paper. "Talking to other teams and seeing what's out there. It was a good learning experience."

A "fun process" for Pronger but a process that has also taken the fun out of the game for the fans.

Those poor owners, hemorrhaging money so badly and determined to presage the new CBA by demonstrating fiscal responsibility. God bless 'em.

Right.

Cheers.