ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues Senior Vice President & General Manager Larry Pleau today announced the club has traded defenseman Chris Pronger to the Edmonton Oilers for defensemen Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka.

The article offers some encouraging details on the acquisitions, and not much about Pronger. Which is fine by me – I don’t have many good things to say about him.

The joy I felt when I heard the news this morning reminded me that despite not watching hockey for the past year and not thinking I cared, I apparently still do.

Chris Pronger was an expensive oaf of a defenseman and captain, and I’ve blamed many losses on him. I’m happy to see the team gain some new blood and free up salary money to hopefully spend more appropriately.

With the new NHL 2005-2006 rule changes, it looks like we’ll see faster paced games.

I think I’m looking forward to this season.