Chris Pronger, who today would end up like him?

[Flyers Faithful]

I was watching Pronger highlights on YouTube and it got me thinking. Who in today’s NHL is most like Pronger or who has the potential to end up like him?

He truly was one of the best all around defenseman to play the game and healso had one hell of a mean streak.

 

[Ainec]

Erik Karlsson or Shea Weber

HM: Subban, Byfuglien

 

[koyvoo]

No one player or prospect on the radar right now. Maybe if three defenders are combined, they together can cover what one Pronger has in the toolbox.

 

[Gsus]

Erik Karlsson

You wut mate?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Zdeno Chara and Shea Weber are the only 2 that come to mind.

 

[mouz135]

Some Oiler fans will still proclaim Nurse

 

[Scott Stevens]

Chris Pronger is a fun character for me. I used to hate hate haaaaaaaate him. Then I ended up really respecting and admiring his game.

I got to meet him at the Roxy after the gold medal game in 2010. Toews was hanging out upstairs away from their private party, obviously enjoying the adulation and attention. He was so young back then obviously, and a surprise star for Canada. So I got my girlfriend at the time to go up to him and she says he was pretty put off when she asked him to send Pronger upstairs. But Pronger did come up eventually and I got to have a laugh with him over him remembering my “I hate Pronger” sign I got into the Honda Center Halloween night 2008. Ryan Carter pointed it out to him when they were on the bench.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Colton Parayko could if he had a mean streak

 

[Flyers Faithful]

Colton Parayko could if he had a mean streak

That’s someone who I had in mind. I think he’s only scratching the surface of what he can do. As you stated though I don’t think he has the mean streak, at least I’ve never seen it.

 

[BenchBrawl]

No one is like Pronger currently.He was a rare combination.His only weaknesses were indiscipline and perhaps lack of loyalty to franchises.

He was a better player than Nicklas Lidstrom, but he had a weaker career.Still a great career though.At his best he was probably the most dominant defenseman since Denis Potvin with maybe Raymond Bourque thrown in-between.

 

[93LEAFS]

Chris Pronger is a fun character for me. I used to hate hate haaaaaaaate him. Then I ended up really respecting and admiring his game.

I got to meet him at the Roxy after the gold medal game in 2010. Toews was hanging out upstairs away from their private party, obviously enjoying the adulation and attention. He was so young back then obviously, and a surprise star for Canada. So I got my girlfriend at the time to go up to him and she says he was pretty put off when she asked him to send Pronger upstairs. But Pronger did come up eventually and I got to have a laugh with him over him remembering my “I hate Pronger” sign I got into the Honda Center Halloween night 2008. Ryan Carter pointed it out to him when they were on the bench.

Great story. I managed to meet Selanne at Joe Forte's (and saw maybe 70% of the Finnish team leaving) during those same Olympics.

Pronger was a hell of a player. Closest skill set wise to him is probably Hedman, but they are still very different players. When the Leafs were trying to get over the hump in the early 2000's, Pronger was probably number 1 on my wishlist, as he would have filled our biggest need at the time.

 

[Scott Stevens]

Great story. I managed to meet Selanne at Joe Forte's (and saw maybe 70% of the Finnish team leaving) during those same Olympics.

Pronger was a hell of a player. Closest skill set wise to him is probably Hedman, but they are still very different players. When the Leafs were trying to get over the hump in the early 2000's, Pronger was probably number 1 on my wishlist, as he would have filled our biggest need at the time.

Great story. I managed to meet Selanne at Joe Forte's (and saw maybe 70% of the Finnish team leaving) during those same Olympics.

Pronger was a hell of a player. Closest skill set wise to him is probably Hedman, but they are still very different players. When the Leafs were trying to get over the hump in the early 2000's, Pronger was probably number 1 on my wishlist, as he would have filled our biggest need at the time.

Imagine hedman with pronger’s “is this guy ok?” savage streak haha

I would loved to have met the Finns in a social restaurant/bar setting. I bet they’re a more fun bunch than most. For whatever reason.

 

[Paul4587]

Style was he was like Chara except with more offensive tools, he was a much better skater, passer and puckhandler. Somewhere between Hedman and Chara in terms of style and skillset.

 

[93LEAFS]

Imagine hedman with pronger’s “is this guy ok?” savage streak haha

I would loved to have met the Finns in a social restaurant/bar setting. I bet they’re a more fun bunch than most. For whatever reason.

Yeah, I only talked to Selanne while he was leaving and I was waiting to be seated to mention the first NHL game I ever attended was vs the Jets and to say he had a helluva career (he was supposed to retire at the end of this season). In general, I try to avoid fanning out on NHLers (or any celebrity) at high-end restaurants, and only talk to them if the opportunity presents its self. I ran into Doughty later that year at a bar in London, Ontario and congratulated him on winning gold and did shots with him.

If Hedman played with the meanness of Pronger, he'd be the most valuable defender in the league. Although, a lot of what Pronger did to establish his meanness would lead to multiple long-term suspensions.

 

[Damisoph]

Some Oiler fans will still proclaim Nurse

Citation?

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

The Pronger-type is super, super rare. There's no one in the league or any prospects that are like him.

Big body, great skater, mean streak and very intelligent. That combo rarely gets put all together.

 

[Scott Stevens]

Yeah, I only talked to Selanne while he was leaving and I was waiting to be seated to mention the first NHL game I ever attended was vs the Jets and to say he had a helluva career (he was supposed to retire at the end of this season). In general, I try to avoid fanning out on NHLers (or any celebrity) at high-end restaurants, and only talk to them if the opportunity presents its self. I ran into Doughty later that year at a bar in London, Ontario and congratulated him on winning gold and did shots with him.

If Hedman played with the meanness of Pronger, he'd be the most valuable defender in the league. Although, a lot of what Pronger did to establish his meanness would lead to multiple long-term suspensions.

Hedman knowingly stepping on a rival’s leg with his skateblade this day and age ala pronger kesler? HOO BOY haha

Probably my greatest brush with celebrity was the big man himself, Shaquille O’Neal. I was doing physiotherapy with now noted therapist Alex McKechnie, ho has been with the Lakers and now raptors for the better part of the last 15 years. I’m gettkng my quad worked on for the cam Neely injury he got from ulf Samuelson, and I see the biggest thing I have ever seen walk in. He is walking towards us to greet Alex. I’m just dumbfounded. Alex says “oh good you get to meet Shaquille O’Neal”. I’m silent. Shaq, hand to god, “what up little homie?” Me- “it’s nice to meet you mr shaq” hahah
I was 14.

 

[BleedBlue14]

No one player or prospect on the radar right now. Maybe if three defenders are combined, they together can cover what one Pronger has in the toolbox.

Parayko has the tools. Just not the complete toolbox. He doesn't have the nasty side Pronger had sadly. Also doesn't seem to have the IQ leve of Pronger. He's still young so there's hope.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

People have a very selective memory when it comes to Pronger.

He was extremely criticized as a player, known for taking dumb penalties, coughing pucks up and constantly getting beat wide.

 

[7even]

I was just in Dryden yesterday.

 

[Sergei DRW]

Zdeno Chara.
If Colton Parayko rounds his game - it is him.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Victor Hedman is the player I think that's the most like him as of right now, only difference is Hedman isn't as reckless and has a smarter stay-at-home game.

I think what made Pronger's game more valuable is that he had a temper which he really took advantage of in his game.

 

[Lshap]

Victor Hedman is the player I think that's the most like him as of right now, only difference is Hedman isn't as reckless and has a smarter stay-at-home game.

I think what made Pronger's game more valuable is that he had a temper which he really took advantage of in his game.

100% agree. Pronger had great physical tools, but what elevated him was his dangerous mix of genius and rage. Like if a Klingon could skate.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Some Oiler fans will still proclaim Nurse

?

Nobody has ever said that ever.

Pronger played for the Oilers. We know how good he is.

 

[McShogun99]

?

Nobody has ever said that ever.

Pronger played for the Oilers. We know how good he is.

Larsson is closer to Pronger then Nurse ever will be.