This NHL Hall of Famer Was Almost Moved to the Leafs Back in 2007
NHL Legend Chris Pronger Speaks on His Career.
In a recent interview on First Up TSN 1050, the guest of honor was none other than Chris Pronger, a legendary defenseman known for his tough and tenacious style of play. During the conversation, he revealed his involvement in trade discussions between the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, just before he ended up being traded to the Anaheim Ducks, who went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2007.
While speaking about the Maple Leafs' current defensive lineup, Pronger dropped a wild bombshell - the Edmonton Oilers had indeed engaged in discussions with the Toronto Maple Leafs about a potential trade that involved sending him there from Edmonton. This ignited another conversation surrounding the Maple Leafs' decision-making and its repercussions.
A Trade That Could've Changed Changed History For The Leafs
Pronger's retelling of the past negotiations showed an obvious missed opportunity for the Maple Leafs. The Oilers had laid out conditions for a potential trade, but regrettably, Toronto failed to meet them, resulting in Pronger's relocation to Anaheim. Looking back on it now, it's clear that the Maple Leafs passed on a game-changing player who could have brought them into the playoffs during that season.
Acknowledging the Maple Leafs' collection of puck-moving defensemen, Pronger expressed his thoughts on their ability to withstand the NHL season and the intensity of playoff battles. He emphasized the need of having defensemen who can grind down the opposition, which seems to be a missing ingredient in the Leafs' lineup that has been problematic when facing playoff teams with aggressive defensemen.
As the Maple Leafs prepare for the upcoming season, Pronger's story serves as a reminder of the significance of trade decisions and their lasting impact on a team. It raises the question of what could have been if the Maple Leafs had sealed the deal in 2007, a missed opportunity they chose not to pursue, ultimately coming at a cost.
Now, as the Leafs gear up for the new season, this story from their past only serves as a caution. It emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on opportunities to secure impactful players. The question remains: if a chance to get a game-changer on the blue line arises, will GM Brad Treliving pull the trigger?
As Read On NHL Trade Talk - "NHL Hall of Famer Almost Traded to Maple Leafs in 2007"
| POLL | ||
Would the Leafs Stanley Cup Drought still be active if they had made that trade for Chris Pronger? | ||
| Yes | 19 | 55.9 % |
| No | 15 | 44.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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