Chris Pronger is challenging the Maple Leafs to prove they actually have the conviction to win it all
What Chris Pronger just said about the Toronto Maple Leafs' future is arguably the most blunt observation of how the team can turn their failures into success.
Former NHL defenceman Chris Pronger has been making the media rounds recently to talk about his new book, a biographical look at his career that has certainly come with as many ups as it has downs.
Though Pronger's name has been more closely linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs' vacant GM and President position as of late, he's been open to the idea albeit hasn't given a concrete decision one way or another.
Pronger is only interested in joining the Maple Leafs if he gets total freedom from the corporate shadow
That could be for a good reason though, as the former Senior VP of Hockey Ops for the Panthers has some caveats about taking an NHL executive job again.
In a candid conversation with Sportsnet's Paul D. Grant, Pronger delved a bit deeper into his terms and conditions regarding a new job:
For me, personally, there's a lot more that goes into it than just the opportunity. What does it look like? There's a lot more to it than just, I get to do it. It's 'what does that entail?
Is big brother over your shoulder the whole time, right? How much autonomy do you have? And, when you set a vision and a plan and a course; I would have the conviction. Do they have the conviction?
Is big brother over your shoulder the whole time, right? How much autonomy do you have? And, when you set a vision and a plan and a course; I would have the conviction. Do they have the conviction?
It's a very blunt observation that proves that Pronger is not messing around if he comes in to make changes. Unless he has the full ability to make the decisions he feels are necessary, he's more than likely not interested.
For the Maple Leafs it could be a tall task. As a group that notoriously likes to have their hands all over things, it's hard to see a world where the team lets Pronger and his team make all the choices without MLSE or Rogers getting in their ear.
It's not just that Pronger wants to do the job, but do it well and create a legacy worth remembering. When you give someone control of a team you trust their vision is one that will bring success — will Toronto ever give that trust is the question.
Chris Pronger is challenging the Maple Leafs to use their playoff scars into a winning edge
But Pronger didn't stop at just explaining his conditions for being a leader, but when asked about the Maple Leafs' adversity over the past few years, he urged them to use it as fuel.
I talk about in the book a lot, you go through a lot of adversity. That's how you grow. You don't grow by never being challenged and winning.
You grow through adversity. You grow through being challenged and then figuring out what you're made of and what you're all about.
You grow through adversity. You grow through being challenged and then figuring out what you're made of and what you're all about.
You could argue that the Maple Leafs have faced their fair share of adversity when it comes to playoff losses, coaching changes, GM and front office teardown on top of a group that fell off a cliff this year, but to Pronger it's just a matter of having the right person in the right spot:
Sometimes it's not in the current group, right? And sometimes it takes one person to come in and change that narrative. All kinds of things can happen.
It's time for players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Matthew Knies and Anthony Stolarz (among many others) to prove to the Maple Leafs they have learned from their disappointments and can be better once again.
Adding a coach who can actually provide a more up-tempo and offensive game, an executive team that works based off results and not gut-feelings, and perhaps an overhaul of the blueline will be enough.
The team has suffered through countless playoff chokes and hasn't learned how to adapt. After 10 years of not figuring it out, they are going to have to bring in someone who has to ensure they don't spend another decade trying to learn.
Though if it's Pronger in charge of the Maple Leafs, it'll have to be his way or the highway and we're all just going to tag along for the ride — wherever that may lead us.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The second meeting with Mike Gillis signals the Maple Leafs have finally found their man
The second meeting with Mike Gillis signals the Maple Leafs have finally found their man
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10|845 ANSWERS Chris Pronger is challenging the Maple Leafs to prove they actually have the conviction to win it all Should the Maple Leafs hire Chris Pronger? | ||
| Yes | 589 | 69.7 % |
| No | 256 | 30.3 % |
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