Pronger could have been a Hawk instead
When word began to circulate late last season that Chris Pronger would be available after the playoffs, the NHL was abuzz with rumors.
Anaheim wouldn't be able to afford him going forward, so it was a question of who would offer the Ducks the best deal, and what team could afford a healthy extension for Pronger.
Many people expected the Blackhawks to make a play, given their need for size, veteran leadership and a Stanley Cup winning resume, as they looked to take the next step.
But the Hawks, who had the chips to deal, never even inquired.
GM Dale Tallon asked about Scott Niedermayer, who also would have filled many needs - except size - but Niedermayer wasn't available.
In fact, the Hawks asked about Niedermayer again this year at the trade deadline and were again shot down, and Stan Bowman wound up with Kim Johnsson.
Last summer, the Hawks spent their money ($62 million) on Marian Hossa, a move hardly anyone would have argued with at the time, while the Flyers shocked the NHL a week earlier by getting Pronger in a draft-day deal for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa and a boatload of draft picks.
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren was pounded for acquiring Pronger, then 34. The critics said Holmgren was too aggressive, gave up too much, and overpaid Pronger with a seven-year, $35 million extension.
But that's Holmgren's personality. He wants to win today and he knows what he needs to get it done.
And GMs tend to gravitate toward the type of players they were themselves, so it's no shock Holmgren wanted some size and ferocity, while the Hawks went for more skill.
Of course, Hossa is only 31 and will probably be an effective player longer than Pronger, but in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, there's no debating who's been the most important player for either team.
Pronger's been such a force that if the Flyers win the Cup, Pronger will almost certainly win the Conn Smythe, stunning considering he entered the series as the ninth choice at 25-1 behind Jonathan Toews (2-5), Antti Niemi (5-1), Mike Richards (7-1), Mike Leighton (8-1), Patrick Kane (10-1), Danny Briere (18-1), Simon Gagne (20-1) and the field (22-1).
He's been so dominant that the Hawks are complaining about Pronger publicly and privately, working the officials through the media, and even working on broadcasters through back channels, hoping they'll point out Pronger's infractions in an attempt to get the NHL to listen.
Deep down, however, you know Hawks coach Joel Quenneville wishes he had Pronger, the big, mean, nasty defenseman - with all-star skills - who logs 30 minutes a game and impacts every shift.
The Hawks have a ton of skill but still lack the kind of intimidating force Pronger offers, something Quenneville saw up close when he coached him for eight years in St. Louis.
While he doesn't verbalize it - because it wouldn't do his team any good to hear it - there are times when you can see the fire in Quenneville's eyes, and you know he desires that monster who changes the game.
It's just unfortunate that the Hawks passed on the chance to get him and now it's Pronger who stands in the way of a Stanley Cup.
But who knows, maybe Hossa will score the biggest goal of the Finals, which would make the $62 million worth it with one shot.
Regardless, the Hawks have made it this far and might win it without a Pronger type player, but perhaps someday they'll look elsewhere to find that big body who may help them reach the Finals again.
Either way, Chris Pronger already owns one Stanley Cup victory and when he's done playing he's headed straight for the Hall of Fame.
It's only a question now of how many rings he'll wear when he gets there.
brozner@dailyherald.com
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