Blues trade Chris Pronger to Edmonton

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The St. Louis Blues said they could not meet Chris Pronger's desire for a long-term contract and traded him to the Edmonton Oilers for three defensemen.

The Blues swapped their team captain -- a former MVP and Norris Trophy winner -- Tuesday night for Edmonton's Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The Blues had offered Pronger $7.22 million, rather than risk losing him to free agency after this season.

"Chris has been a great player for us," said Blues General Manager Larry Pleau of Pronger's 10 seasons. "He's been a workhorse, logs a lot of ice time, played through injury."

However, Pleau said, Pronger's desire for a long-term contract "was something we couldn't do."

The 6-foot-5 defenseman said every Canadian kid dreams of playing at home, but it will be difficult leaving the Blues.

"I have a lot of great friendships from here, I met my wife here and I grew up from a little boy to a man, really maturing in front of everybody's eyes here. I'll miss it," Pronger said. "I'm an Oiler now."