Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had no President of Hockey Operations since Brendan Shanahan left, and Chris Pronger showed up in the city that needs him the most to take that mantle and lead the charge.
In hindsight, it’s one of the worst decisions the Maple Leafs organization did. Treliving needs someone above him who can act as the middle-man between the corporate powers and the NHL team – without it, there was no alternate perspective.
Change is on the horizon for the Maple Leafs and while the focus is on Brad Treliving and Craig Berube’s future with the club, it’s time we looked at someone they have to bring in.
Connecting the Dots: Why Pronger at the CN Tower matches the Simmons report
From the view of a hotel, Pronger has a clear shot of the CN Tower and only blocks away from Scotiabank Arena, a place he might be calling home for the next few years.
It was mentioned from Simmons also that it would ‘take a lot’ to pursue Pronger. Well, how about giving him free rein to run the most profitable franchise in the NHL, and one with a legacy that needs rebuilding?
The Accountability Shift: What a Pronger presidency would mean for the current roster
If Pronger were to be given absolute control over the direction of the team, it could be the end of several long-time players, and ones who aren’t really a key to finding long-term success.
That means the following players may be on the outs quicker than most:
– Morgan Rielly
– Max Domi
– Matias Maccelli
– Nick Robertson
– Anthony Stolarz
– Simon Benoit
With an emphasis on adding players who will not only affect the game on-ice, but the locker room as well – there needs to be a big facelift.
Rielly is in a constant decline, Domi offers little for his price, meanwhile Maccelli and Robertson are fine depth, but nothing worthy of a Stanley Cup-winning lineup and Benoit is really a 7/8 guy on another team.
Anthony Stolarz’s injury concerns are too much to handle especially if you’re trying to make the postseason next year, and they have plenty of goaltenders in the pipeline to take over.
This is a group who just stood idly by while their captain and face of the franchise got kneed directly, and if Pronger is in charge you can bet your bottom dollar there is no place for that type of apathy.
He’s also someone who might not be too worried about feelings either. If you’re not pulling your weight, you might be gone. His role is business first, and what’s best for business might rub some the wrong way.
And it’s not like he is a newbie, as he has front office experience. Pronger was Senior VP of Hockey Operations for the Panthers in 2019-2020 after spending three seasons as a senior advisor.
But if you’re winning and a Cup is a serious potential then who cares?
Toronto’s complacency has gotten them to a point where they are losing stars, at risk of losing current ones, have no real direction, no proper coaching for the roster, and a GM who would rather call into TV stations and complain about the media than fix his own team.
Enough is enough for Leafs Nation. Bring in Chris Pronger, because if Toronto has some big problems, it’s going to take an even bigger guy to tackle them. MLSE, make the call.
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Chris Pronger at the CN Tower is the only proof fans need that a front office shakeup is imminent
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