Assured Niedermayer will rejoin them -- though they must agree on a contract -- they traded Pronger for a bountiful package that was too good on too many fronts for Murray to refuse.
The big name was Lupul, who began his career with the Ducks and unhappily went to Edmonton in the 2006 deal that brought Pronger to Anaheim. Lupul, who scored 25 goals last season, heard the news at his Newport Beach home.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday, June 28, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 45 words Type of Material: Correction
Helene Elliott column: In Saturday's Sports section, Helene Elliott's column said Brayden Schenn, the Kings' No. 5 pick in the NHL draft, had 32 goals and 56 points for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He had 32 goals and 88 points.
"It's just awesome. I hope to be here for a long time this time," said Lupul, who praised Sbisa as a potential No. 1 defenseman.
Sbisa, Italian-born but a Swiss League veteran, is projected to play for the Ducks next season though he will have to earn the job in training camp. "He shows up, he competes and plays," Murray said. "I like the kid a whole bunch."
Niedermayer's return will make Teemu Selanne more inclined to return for one more Cup push, and Murray said he planned to talk to Selanne today. But adding Sbisa makes it unlikely Murray will re-sign unrestricted free agent Francois Beauchemin, who has said he plans to test the market.
Still, Sbisa, Niedermayer, Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski -- a restricted free agent they will keep -- form a strong core.
"At some point we're going to be without Scotty and now Chris," Murray said. "Neither one will be there. It's time we started preparing for that and started moving forward."
Pronger, 34, was a force in the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup triumph and was admirably disciplined in their march to the second round this spring. However, his cap hit of $6.25 million next season was too pricey, and he wanted an extension for around that number.
The Ducks can better use the money on Niedermayer, Wisniewski and other depth moves.
Pronger told Canada's TSN network he knew he was gone when he got a call about Niedermayer's return. The Flyers were on his short list of destinations, perhaps as the missing piece for a Cup run. "I'd like to think so," he said. "That was one of the reasons I was brought to Anaheim, and it worked out pretty well."
Lombardi admired the rival Ducks' coup.
"They got everything back that they gave up for him and a Stanley Cup," he said. "As a franchise, that's a heck of a use of an asset. That's an impressive deal."
The Ducks used the 15th pick on Peter Holland, a 6-2 center from Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League. They traded the first-rounder they got from the Flyers, the 21st pick, to Columbus for the 26th pick and took center/right wing Kyle Palmieri. Both are at least two years away, but the Pronger trade told the NHL the Ducks are going for it now.
With the Kings improving and poised to make a splash when free agency starts Wednesday, next season could be very interesting around here -- interesting enough to put sour expressions on the faces of more GMs than just Burke.
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helene.elliott@latimes.com
