Chris Pronger is being discussed for front office jobs per Kypreos: Nashville passed and Toronto shouldn’t
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The search for a fire-breather to fix the Toronto Maple Leafs just gained some serious insider IQ. While the board moves through the wreckage of the Treliving era, Chris Pronger is emerging as the high-stakes choice to bring some much-needed vinegar back to the building.
Former NHLer Chris Pronger continues to pick up steam as an underdog choice for the Toronto Maple Leafs following the departure of now former GM Brad Treliving.
The Hall of Famer Pronger has been linked to the Leafs as a GM candidate. Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos said that Pronger was a candidate for the Nashville Predators GM job, but is less likely to be an option.
When it comes to the names being discussed most, we have to mention Brendan Shanahan, Peter Chiarelli, Marc Bergevin, and Brian Lawton as four people with executive experience who might have their sights set on a president of hockey operations title.
We also want to keep an eye on Chris Pronger and Ryan Getzlaf, two others being discussed for front-office jobs, who don’t have the same kind of executive experience. It doesn’t appear Nashville is moving in that kind of direction, as they’ve made it known they want more NHL front office experience than what Getzlaf or Pronger can provide at this point. - Nick Kypreos
We also want to keep an eye on Chris Pronger and Ryan Getzlaf, two others being discussed for front-office jobs, who don’t have the same kind of executive experience. It doesn’t appear Nashville is moving in that kind of direction, as they’ve made it known they want more NHL front office experience than what Getzlaf or Pronger can provide at this point. - Nick Kypreos
Nashville's loss should be the Maple Leafs gain as the organization starves for a fire breather in the front office
The Nashville Predators are looking for a more veteran option to replace Barry Trotz as GM, someone experienced unlike Trotz, a longtime coach but first time GM.
This could open up Pronger for another role if teams are serious about bringing him into a front office, and could dictate a team like Toronto as an option.
Kypreos says in the same article that Armstrong, despite moving from GM to team President for the St. Louis Blues, still likes the "day-to-day operations" of a general manager.
It could see Armstrong fill the role of President of Hockey Ops and GM for Toronto, with Chris Pronger as the assistant GM.
Pairing a data centric GM with Pronger's physical vinegar is the only way to end the strategic vacuum in Toronto
Chris Pronger is a popular name among analysts, but his fit for Toronto may not be as a general manager, but potentially as a top assistant.
The only challenge for Toronto is current AGM Brandon Pridham, one of the top AGM's in the league. A cap guru, Pridham is the type of strategic executive the team wants to keep.
Pronger shouldn't come at the loss of Pridham. Pronger has been overinflated by his name recognition and being vocal in the process. No one who isn't one of Pronger's fellow analysts has named him as a serious Leafs GM candidate either.
The challenge for the board is balancing
Pronger's massive personality with the existing structure. While some see his name recognition as a distraction, his lack of traditional executive experience is exactly why he's a wild card for a team that has historically prioritized "safe" corporate minds.
Pronger's massive personality with the existing structure. While some see his name recognition as a distraction, his lack of traditional executive experience is exactly why he's a wild card for a team that has historically prioritized "safe" corporate minds.
Besides being an analyst, it's unclear what Pronger brings to the table. It's not experience, and that could keep him from being a serious candidate for a contending team Leafs needing a top GM.
Toronto is also looking for a forward-thinking, analytically friendly option. Pronger, who isn't a very analytical person, may not be the fit that MLSE wants.
Pronger will be a popular choice among fans as someone who speaks their minds, but he may not be the first choice for a Leafs team geared towards winning.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Peter DeBoer just showed why he should be the next Maple Leafs coach without even mentioning Toronto once
Peter DeBoer just showed why he should be the next Maple Leafs coach without even mentioning Toronto once
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 2|1270 ANSWERS Chris Pronger is being discussed for front office jobs per Kypreos: Nashville passed and Toronto shouldn’t Does Chris Pronger make sense for the Leafs front office? | ||
| Yes | 922 | 72.6 % |
| No | 348 | 27.4 % |
| List of polls | ||