At first, the story was that his wife didn't like the city of Edmonton, and she wanted to be a little closer to her slightly crooked but filth rich father in St. Louis. While we all sort of snickered at that as being the reason, we sort of imagined that there was something else. Dressing room turmoil, we assumed. Not enough anonymity in a hockey-crazed town. Too many "Pronger is gay" rumors. Any of those. The latest rumor du jour, though, is pretty far down the list of things I imagined as reasons for wanting to get out of Dodge, and seems far less likely to be true than any of the others.
According to the rumor, Pronger impregnated an Edmonton CityTV personality. She is flatly denying it. She, or her lawyers, have asked the Oilers Message board moderators to ban any talk of the rumor. On Thursday night, on her website, the photo gallery has been disabled, and the following statement appears on the home page:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM CHRISTIE CHORLEY
JUNE 29, 2006
ANY RUMORS AND/OR SPECULATION ABOUT MY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CURRENT CHRIS PRONGER SITUATION IS COMPLETELY, ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT FALSE.
I would appreciate your help in putting an end to my name being linked to this situation, as it is completely WITHOUT ANY MERIT OR FACTUAL BASIS.
Any further slander or defamation can and will result in swift legal action.
Thank you.
Okay.
Maybe it's true and maybe it isn't. She sure is mad.
My next guess is that the gossip mongers had the rumor right, but the other party wrong. Maybe the CityTV personality romantically linked to Pronger was/is Kris Laudien. Or maybe Ed the Sock. I dunno. I'm just saying.
Anyway, the key thing is that "Orbs" wants out. Edmonton is shopping him with the following demands in return:
- A quality defenseman
- A quality forward
- A first round draft pick in 2007
There will also be some quality defensemen on the free agent market, so that might make the trade a little more difficult. However, Ottawa managed to re-sign Wade Redden amid speculation that he would become a free agent. Although the deal isn't official yet, it's believed to be in the area of 2 years/$13M.
The other thing that might make trading "Orbs" difficult is his enormous salary. He has four years remaining on his contract (originally signed with St. Louis)and is slated to make $6.25M next season. Any suitor would have to pay that amount, plus give up two quality players, plus give up a first rounder. The Oil gave up nothing to get him in the first place last summer, so anything at all in return would be good.
Some of the talk is about the Maple Leafs. This makes sense. Prongs is a native Ontarian, and would surely be able to be a key member in the community as well as a valuable addition to the Maple Leafs. For instance, he could be a spokesperson for the TGHA. Toronto has re-signed Bryan McCabe to a five-year/$28.75M contract, and the addition of Pronger would make them super-tough on defense.
The talk is that the Leafs would package Tomas Kaberle and somebody like Alexander Steen if they were serious about getting Pronger. In February, Kaberle signed a five year extension with the Leafs, which includes an "unconditional no-trade clause" in the first three years. I'm hearing that Kaberle is furious about this trade talk, and has every right to be. I'm not really down on the way those "no-trade" clauses work, but my understanding is that only the player can waive them. Help? Anyone?
Chris! over at Covered in Oil really hates this trade rumor, and in a riotously funny rant, he insists that Kaberle would hate Edmonton. As always, I highly recommend reading COI.
It doesn't appear that the Leafs have contacted the Oil yet, but lots of people are talking about that possibility.
One interesting rumor concerning the Penguins: Evgeni Malkin and Brooks Orpik. Allegedly, Pittsburgh is one of six teams that have officially contacted the Oil.
I imagine this will all get sorted out sometime next week. Of course, we also have the opening of the free agent market, which should be loads of fun.
Posts
4 comments:
I'll be glad once this whole Pronger situation has been put to rest. Who cares why he wants to leave - just go buddy and good luck (riddance?) to ya! Although I have to admit that I'm glad the rumors are finally focusing on someone other than his wife. We all knew if had to be something major for him to request a trade considering the contract he signed. However, I don't know whether or not I believe the latest (tv personality/baby) story but it seems a lot of people have certainly jumped all over it. I now not only feel bad for his wife (for being the brunt of the Pronger hate fest) but also for Ms. Chorlie (providing its not true) for having been dragged into this whole mess.
Hopefully by this time next week, Pisani, Roli, and (fingers crossed) Laraques will be back in Oilers colours and Pronger will have a new home. Sheesh, what a rollercoaster ride these past few weeks have been!
I totally feel for the Oilers fans, here. They're basically being Shanahanned--except the reasons aren't being made as apparent in this case, and My Golden Bitch isn't holding 1209871327 press conferences a day outlining why he hates Edmonton and wants a trade out of town ASAP.
So there, he's one up on Shanahan.
I read something yesterday (I can't remember where --- probably Covered in Oil ---) where Les GG says he probably won't be back in Edmonton. He's not asking out. Quite the contrary. They're just indicating that he won't be in the fold anymore.
To all the internet user
Hi! About Christie Chorley & Chris Pronger rumor hope all of you would REALIZE and TRUST
what I have says here. My English might not be good as before but please I would hope all of
you would satisfied and would not be mine, ok? My name is (Akira) Peter Lee, 29 yrs old. I
am living in Hong Kong right now, I am also a Canadian's too. When did I met Christie
Chorley?? I met her in Edmonton Alberta when I was 12 Yrs old we were in a same school. she
is a very nice person, because she likes to help people. At the time that I met her I
wouldn't know how to speak or even understand english well, but she teaches me. Its been 17
years we have met til now we still have good communication on the phone or even email. To
have all of you beleive me and Christie Chorley are best friend probably it might be kind of
hard. But I could have a way to approve it. When did I knew this rumor? Everyone please try
and beleive that I have knew my best friend Christie Chorley Rumor on June 29 8:20:31 am by
clicking to my own website here http://akiralee9669m.blogspot.com/2005/10/christie-
chorley.html, it was a internet visitor went inside to my website and left a comments for me
to look at. Then, I know what happen, so did all of you saw a question from the visitor "Are
the rumours about Christie Chorley and Chris Pronger true" ?
Now let me answer to all of you the question if anyone would like to leave me a comments
from my website I would be appreciate.
Now let me answer to all of you the question if anyone would like to leave me a comments
from my website I would be appreciate.
About Christie Chorley & Chris Pronger rumor are 100% one hundred Percent fake!
I would appreciate your help in putting an end to my Best Friend Christie Chorley name being
linked to this situation, as it is completely WITHOUT ANY MERIT OR FACTUAL BASIS.
Any further slander or defamation can and will result in swift legal action.
Hong Kong has all kinds of the best technology and I would also help my best friend Christie
Chorley to investigate where does the rumor comes out from.
At last, Christie Chorley has already did completed her own statement from the Official
Website on June 29, 2006.
Which means Chris Pronger if you have read through the things that I type then its time for
you to come out and made out your true statement to everyone!!!
Thank you!
(Akira) Peter Lee
04/07/2006 2:50 am
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