Chris Pronger laughed at the Gudas hit because he knew the Maple Leafs had no intention of responding
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Chris Pronger literally laughed at the Maple Leafs for not doing what they could for Auston Matthews. For a guy who may be their next President — that's unacceptable, and he knows just how bad things are getting.
Pronger was a guest on the Nasty Knuckles Podcast and was pressed about the Maple Leafs' response to the hit on Matthews which sidelined him for a few months after a torn MCL.
Chris Pronger waited...and waited...then laughed as no Maple Leaf came to help Auston Matthews
He didn't hold back and it was a scathing review of the team's lack of heart and soul with Pronger basically admitting he knew that while he expected something to happen; he knew it wouldn't:
If there was a camera on me, you'd think I would be a sick man because I started laughing when I saw the hit because I looked at all the players looking for a man and I'm looking, literally staring at Gudas looking around knowing 'Oh someone's coming'.
Then poof. [The no response] That was so special, and the worst part, not only do they not respond in that regard, they didn't even go over to check on him. They're all so far they're like 'Oh the trainer is there' and they were gone. I'm like wow this is interesting.
Then poof. [The no response] That was so special, and the worst part, not only do they not respond in that regard, they didn't even go over to check on him. They're all so far they're like 'Oh the trainer is there' and they were gone. I'm like wow this is interesting.
Pronger's laughter was something more of bewilderment as opposed to genuine humour as you can't help but laugh as it's the perfect summary of Toronto's season as a whole.
Players like Morgan Rielly, William Nylander, and especially Easton Cowan were apologetic after the fact knowing they had to do something and while the leadership and protection has improved over recent games — it's way too late.
Pronger knows what it takes to win — and he knows Toronto is missing all of it right now
But what happens now? According to Pronger, that's the $64-million question:
So what do you do now? That's the 64-million dollar question. Do they blow it up? Do they fire everyone, do they add on the fringes? Do they trade one or two guys.
That's ultimately up to ownership because clearly this is going in the wrong direction. It's not the first time something like this has happened where nothing has happened.
You guys know Chief, he's going to say go in there like guys you gotta protect one another, you gotta be together. There's bigger issues there. That's not even a coach's message, it's a players message. That's a pride together; it's key. There's something going on there.
That's ultimately up to ownership because clearly this is going in the wrong direction. It's not the first time something like this has happened where nothing has happened.
You guys know Chief, he's going to say go in there like guys you gotta protect one another, you gotta be together. There's bigger issues there. That's not even a coach's message, it's a players message. That's a pride together; it's key. There's something going on there.
This is certainly a testament to Pronger knowing not only what it takes to win, but also what makes a locker room come together. But he also understands a lot of this is on management to bring in a new culture.
Well, with him potentially the head of that management circle, he would have the ability to bring in a GM who has the same vision and will be a proxy between MLSE and the team. Pronger is a winner and can assure upper management the moves being made are in the best interest of the team.
What that entails is anyone's call though as there are some serious issues beyond leadership that need to be addressed too. Even just the lineup construction heading into next year is a mess, and we haven't heard or seen a plan publicly to fix it.
Morgan Rielly has to go as does a majority of the blueline, we don't know about Max Domi, Nick Robertson, or Matias Maccelli, there's still a gaping hole at the 2C and 3C, and the team still lacks a true playmaker.
Toronto is a mess right now, and they don't seem to have the right tools to clean things up. Well, the Edmonton fans used to call Pronger 'The Human Rake' due to his lanky nature, and memorable grin.
But perhaps he can be the one to sweep up those fallen Maple Leafs and bring them together once again.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The Maple Leafs finally get their shot at Gudas and there’s no excuse left not to answer for Auston Matthews
The Maple Leafs finally get their shot at Gudas and there’s no excuse left not to answer for Auston Matthews