One Pronger attack

About the Flyers acquiring Chris Pronger for Sbisa, Lupul and 2 first round picks: there's always the fear that it's Beezer, Mike Rathje, or Darien Hatcher all over again - getting a guy past his prime on the downside of his career. It will never be as bad as a Paul Coffey or Adam Oates though. The Flyers are hoping that they are finally getting a defenseman that is intimidating, plays with hate, has the ability to make Crosby cry, and can clear out the front of the net to prevent all those cheap goals Biron and Company love to surrender. Hopefully Emery will also do his part without getting suspended.

In addition to the violence, Pronger also has some offensive skills and should provide needed defensive depth and "leadership in the room" as the professionals like to say. Although "old," Pronger played all 82 games last year, had 11 goals, 37 assists, and averaged 27 minutes a game.

But if Pronger walks after 1 year this trade would end up looking pretty bad considering what the Flyers gave up. But Pronger is a difference maker and Snider is going to die soon and needs to win the Cup now so I understand that it's a risk they needed to take. The Flyers are a young team and the picks they gave up wouldn't be making an impact on the Flyers for years.

I think the trade has improved the team and will be good for the Flyers, but at the same time I don't think it's going to win them the Stanley Cup. But let's see what Holmgren does next.

UPDATES: Knuble felt dissed by the Flyers "unfair" offer and signed with the Capitals. Flyers signed right wing Ian Laperriere and his totally crooked nose, and brought back Brian Boucher to back up Emery. Good luck with that, although Boucher apparently played pretty good for San Jose last year with a .917 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average.

There's a ton of interesting player movement right now in the NHL, and not all of it is 3rd line players and backup goalies.

Smellies

Damn the Phillies have been annoying to watch recently. I wouldn't have minded them flipping the switch on offense and rolling up teams as soon as they went back out on the road — like they did in their first game in Tampa Bay — because at least they'd be winning again. But it was one good game in Tampa and then right back to the really annoying quality of play exhibited at home against Toronto and Baltimore (aside from a good/wasted Blanton performance Wednesday).

What's so annoying? Let's see:

— Forgetting what out it is.
— Throwing to the wrong base.
— Only throwing one pitch (develop a change-up Bastardo, quickly).
— Matt Stairs playing in the outfield. Play the kid Mayberry! Heaven forbid a right-handed player actually face a right-handed pitcher. Probably never happened in baseball before, I know. LET THE KID PLAY, especially as he can actually move around a little bit in the outfield! It's been Stairs or someone else the last four of five games. With Ibanez out, Mayberry should be starting five or six days a week.
— Jimmy Rollins stinks on ice right now. Drop him to sixth or seventh in the lineup and leave him there. Hit your way out of it Rollins!
— Pitchers throwing meatballs. Meatballs go on my subs, not over the plate guys!
— Not being able to boo people through my TV.
— Pat Burrell stunk all year ... until this series.

I'm sure there's more. Add your own.

As a side note, the Tampa Bay Rays' fans are super weak. Way to (not) turn out for a World Series rematch, losers.

USA Dos, Spain Cero.

It’s not everyday the United States' soccer team beats the number one team in the world, but it happened today while most Americans lucky enough to still hold jobs were at work doing what Americans do best: not giving a fuck about soccer. Frankly the USA was very fortunate to even be in the semi finals, as the team lost to Italy and Brazil before beating robbery victims Egypt in the final game of match play 3-0. It was only because Italy was weaker than a 50cc Vespa with two flat tires in their game versus Brazil that the Americans even made the playoffs.

The United States did make the most of their chance, shutting down Spain’s superhuman metrosexual midfielder Xavi and goldilocked striker/crybaby Fernando Torres. The manly named Clint Dempsey and the strangely named Jozy Altidore scored goals while Tim Howard was strong in the net. Michael Bradley got red carded late so I think he will be illegible for the final on Sunday, an event that will surely receive less media coverage than Wimbledon, Tiger Woods not winning another tournament, and maybe, just maybe even the NHL draft. The game can be seen on ESPN2 while the Professional Bowlers Tour airs on ESPN.

Suddenly, this has added meaning

It's being reported the Flyers may soon sign goalie Ray Emery. This could turn out to be a disaster, but I like the move, and Emery's Hextall-esque attributes should go over well in Philly.

Throw in a Jay Bouwmeester signing, and this offseason could be a good one.