The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired the rights to Jack Pridham on Monday, as they bring in the son of Toronto's former assistant GM Brandon Pridham.
Tampa acquired Pridham for only the price of a third-round pick in 2027 and also announced that he has indeed committed to an NCAA school for next season though which school has yet to be determined.
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Pridham was drafted 92nd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020 but had until Monday to make a decision about going to a school.
The 20-year old appeared in 65 games this season for the Kitchener Rangers and had 46 goals and 90 points, while also adding 17 points in 18 playoff games for the Rangers and just won the Memorial Cup on Sunday night. He has 144 career points in the OHL to go along with a blistering plus-60 rating.
Tampa only paid a third-round pick for a Memorial Cup winner as Toronto stood around
Toronto really should have been the one to bring Pridham knowing that he was so dominant and already has a deep connection with his father Brandon having been part of the team for over a decade.
Even though he's out of town now, it would have been poetic to have the son of your fogger AGM help lead the team much like his father did in the front office.
With Toronto needing a playmaking forward to help Auston Matthews and also provide guys like Matthew Knies, Gavin McKenna and Easton Cowan the help they need as they get more acquainted; it's a real bad miss on their part.
Brandon Pridham's exit in Toronto may have cost them their playmaking anchor of the future
Though there could have been a reason why Toronto didn't go after him, and that may be that they're trying to distance themselves from any names from the former establishment.
Brandon was a key part of the front office for 12 seasons, starting as a Special Assistant to the GM before transitioning to Assistant GM in 2018-19. His goal was managing the salary cap and was instrumental in keeping the Core Four signed for as long as they were.
For every failed signing or trade that came his way, Pridham took that as a challenge and did his absolute best to ensure at the end of the day all the numbers fit - a very stressful and difficult job no doubt.
But in being such a long-time staple, John Chayka and his new crew are part of a modern-day approach and even though Pridham is a modern mind; he's an old face. It's less a matter of his ability and more just getting a new voice.
Their split was amicable and it doesn't seem like there is any ill will towards Toronto on Pridham's part nor is there any on Toronto's behalf regarding Pridham. Though in trying to clear out the old, it prevented Toronto from focusing on the future.
Did Toronto make a mistake by not trading for Jack Pridham?
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