[MiamiScreamingEagles]

http://blogs.courierpostonline.com/f...ll-transcript/

Below is a transcript of today’s conference call with Sean O’Donnell.

Q: Were you talking to the Flyers pretty much all along?

“They were, according to my agent, the first team that expressed interest. It was pretty quick. I think it was probably within five or ten minutes, I’m on the West Coast, so after 9:00 AM. My agent called me and said Paul Holmgren had called with an offer. It was right around, I believe, what we ended up signing. That was attractive, having a team that seemed very eager to get you done and locked up as soon as possible.”

Q: What do you think about this situation here? This might be one of the deepest blue lines in the NHL in quite some time… this is a good group to be part of?

“I think that’s a huge understatement. I think this six defense, and with Bartulis also, matches up as well as anybody in the league. I was fortunate enough to win a Cup with Anaheim, and that team was built on defense with Pronger, who you all know, and Niedermayer and Beauchemin and myself and some other guys. I think if you look around, you’ll see with Chicago this year and with Philly getting to the finals, I think it starts on the back end. That was one of the things that made the team really attractive, and I don’t see why the team can’t build on what happened last year and move forward.

Q: Did Chris Pronger have a factor in you coming here?

“Well, I think most of you know the way Prongs works. We’ve been friends for a long time, and he can be very persuasive. He thought it would be a good fit. I’m at a point in my career where the dollars are what they are. It was just a matter of finding a spot where I could fit in on that bottom pair and really make a contribution. Prongs did put some calls out and we spoke a couple times. Him and I are friends, but it came down to where I felt the best fit was and where I thought I would help a team win a Stanley Cup, and Philly was on a very, very short list. The fact that Paul Holmgren did act the way he acted, as quickly as he did, it made it a very easy choice and I couldn’t be happier to come out there.”