JUNE 26, 2009 -- Three years ago the Ducks fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 Western Conference Finals. At the end of the season, the Ducks made a critical trade that helped them win the Stanley Cup the following year, sending sent right wing Joffrey Lupul, defensive prospect, Ladislav Smid, and two draft picks to the Oilers for defenseman Chris Pronger.

Fast forward to June 26, 2009. The Ducks trade away Pronger and his $6.25 million salary to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with prospect Ryan Dingle. Who do they get in return? Lupul, defensive prospect Luca Sbisa and two first round ('09, '10) draft picks. It can’t get any more symmetrical than that.

The Pronger trade was the biggest trade on the first day of the NHL entry draft and GM Bob Murray got great value for the former Ducks captain. After learning that Scott Niedermayer had decided to play another year for the Ducks (a new contract will be negotiated shortly), Murray was able to make room in the Ducks’ salary cap by trading Pronger.

The 34 year-old Norris Trophy winner had been the frequent target of trade rumors, most recently false speculation of a trade to the Los Angeles Kings. Therefore, he was not completely shocked to be traded. Pronger should be a good fit for the Flyers and hopefully provide part of what they are missing to take things to the next level.

The Ducks are also hoping that Lupul will help provide some of what they are missing, in terms of scoring. After struggling for a year in Edmonton, Lupul bounced back with two 20 goal seasons in Philadelphia.

Lupul, now 25, returns to the Ducks with a contract that is signed through the 2012-2013 season with a salary cap hit of $4.25 million. Fortunately for him he kept the Newport Beach home he purchased at the start of his career. While he expressed some surprise at being traded, especially back to the team that drafted him 7th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he was nonetheless eager to play again in Southern California.

“Hopefully I can get back to where I left off here a couple years ago,” Lupul stated in a teleconference with local media after the trade.

Sbisa, 19, made his NHL debut with the Flyers and his teammate had high praise for the Flyers 2008 first round draft pick.

“He stepped in at 18 and never looked out of place,” was Lupul’s scouting report on the Swiss defenseman. “Physical. Fast.”

The Ducks, who ended up with two first round picks, used them to choose center Peter Holland at 15th overall. The 6’2,” 185 lb. Ontario native has been described by scouts as being a smart hockey player with good hands, skates well and can be used on both the power play and penalty kill.

The Ducks obtained the 21st overall pick from the Flyers, but traded with Columbus for the 26th and 37th picks. They chose another center in Kyle Palmieri, a New Jersey native, at 26th. Palmieri was kicked off the U.S. under-18 team for reasons that have only been speculated and not confirmed. It is believed that he was part of a group of players who had girls up to their rooms, which was against the rules. On the ice he has been described as a guy with a solid work ethic, tenacity, good vision and an ability to finish.

See also: Official trade press release from Ducks

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2009 Western Hockey Network