Flyers trade Prospal’s rights back to Tampa

After renting UFA to-be Vaclav Prospal from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline, the Flyers have traded the 33 year old forward’s rights back to Tampa for a seventh round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry draft and a conditional pick in 2009.

The connection between Prospal and Flyers’ center Danny Briere was undeniable.  Prospal’s presence helped Briere up his production and was a big reason the Flyers got past the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadians.  But a sudden disappearance by Prospal at the end of the Montreal series and all of the Pittsburgh series soured many on his return.  General Manager Paul Holmgren was not one of the soured however, and viewed Vinny as a legitimate offseason signing as an insurance policy to a concussion Simon Gagne.

“Vinny really didn’t express much of an interest in coming back and playing for us next season,” said  Holmgren. “His heart is elsewhere.”

Prospal, who tallied 29 goals and 28 assists before joining the Flyers was looking for a contract somewhere in the 3-5 million per year range, a price too high for the Flyers regardless.  If Vinny signs with the Lightning, the conditional pick will turn into a fourth rounder in ’09.