Many Blues fans wept openly when the Flyers won the Pronger bidding, sending mid-level scorer Joffrey Lupul, promising young defenseman Luca Sbisa, two No. 1 picks and a conditional third-round pick in 2010 or 2011.

Philly also got young forward Ryan Dingle in that deal.

This is a great deal for the Flyers, a veteran team trying to make its move in the Eastern Conference RIGHT NOW. Hockey Guy wonders how they will get there if Ray Emery is their goaltender, but, hey, it’s a process.

To extend Pronger’s deal, Philly will have to clear cap room. And the Flyers simply must extend Pronger after paying this price for 34-year-old player with an extensive injury history.

Anaheim will draft at No. 15 and No. 21 in the first round of this draft.  Given the depth of this draft, the Ducks will have a nice opportunity to retool.

Otherwise, the top of the draft produced no surprises.  John Tavares went to the Islanders. Victor Hedman went to Tampa Bay (which hung onto its pick) and Colorado was thrilled to secure Matt Duchene.

Atlanta also kept its pick and took Evander Kane, who was widely regarded as the fourth-best prospect. The Maple Leafs tried to trade up to the No. 5 spot, but LA kept it and took Brayden Schenn.

This made Brian Burke sad.