Adam Kirshenblatt: Making the Case: Chris Pronger

He was definely one of the best defencemen in the league for a long time. Such a shame the Laurie's had him traded from the Blues. I think that trade may top the list of the dumbest trades ever for the Blue Note.

Great article and thanks for using the Blue note as the picture!

He was definely one of the best defencemen in the league for a long time. Such a shame the Laurie's had him traded from the Blues. I think that trade may top the list of the dumbest trades ever for the Blue Note.

Great article and thanks for using the Blue note as the picture!
- cuethenoise

One of the greatest defenseman ever. He played in 3 Stanley cup finals with 3 different teams from 2006-2010.

Unfortunately for Pronger, during his prime from 1997 to 2005 Pronger had one of the stupidest General managers in NHL history.

Yes, Bill Laurie forced a Pronger trade. Laurie never told Pleau to trade for Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywotika.

I could only imagine how many times Pronged should have played in a Stanley cup Finals if it wasn't for Larry Pleau from 1997-2005 and major injuries from 2011-2015.

He was definely one of the best defencemen in the league for a long time. Such a shame the Laurie's had him traded from the Blues. I think that trade may top the list of the dumbest trades ever for the Blue Note.

Great article and thanks for using the Blue note as the picture!
- cuethenoise

It was almost worst. The Laurie's demanded then GM Pleau not give Pronger his qualifying offer and let him walk as an unrestricted free agent. Pleau had to fight to give him the qualifying offer and then trade him, at least getting something rather than losing him for nothing at all.

I hope Pronger makes it, but am obviously biased. His family lives in St. Louis, and the writing is on the wall for him to get his number retired, a statue out front, and a MacInnis/Hull style job with the team; whenever he turns in his retirement papers.

One of the greatest defenseman ever. He played in 3 Stanley cup finals with 3 different teams from 2006-2010.

Unfortunately for Pronger, during his prime from 1997 to 2005 Pronger had one of the stupidest General managers in NHL history.

Yes, Bill Laurie forced a Pronger trade. Laurie never told Pleau to trade for Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywotika.

I could only imagine how many times Pronger should have played in a Stanley cup Finals if it wasn't for Larry Pleau and major injuries from 2011-2015.
- Trust In Jarmo

Which offer for Pronger do you think Pleau should have taken instead?

Which offer for Pronger do you think Pleau should have taken instead?
- Antilles

The one where Pleau actually contacts all 29 NHL teams and actually notifies every NHL team that Chris Pronger is on the trading blocks and make me your best offer.

Over 20 teams in the NHL said they had no clue Pronger was even avalaible.

The one where Pleau contacts all 29 NHL teams and actually notifies every NHL team know Pronger is on the trading blocks.

Over 20 teams in the NHL said they had no clue Pronger was even avalaible.
- Trust In Jarmo

lol, an unsubstantiated rumour made up on Blues forums. A couple teams said they didn't realize Pleau would actually trade Pronger, and the internet snowballed those comments into the entire league having no idea he was even being discussed as being available. Pleau made a lot of mistakes as a GM, but the Pronger situation wasn't one of them.

lol, an unsubstantiated rumour made up on Blues forums. A couple teams said they didn't realize Pleau would actually trade Pronger, and the internet snowballed those comments into the entire league having no idea he was even being discussed as being available. Pleau made a lot of mistakes as a GM, but the Pronger situation wasn't one of them.
- Antilles

Wow. You are so uninformed. Laurie told Pleau to trade Pronger ASAP. Pleau didn't have the balls (like his entire career has shown) to tell Laurie "give me 2 weeks so I can get the best overall return." Instead Pleau (like he has done his whole career) was a yes man. And took the first "good offer" (in Larry's mind) that came along.

I joke around about Doug Armstrong. But Armstrog is 10 times the Gm Pleau ever was.

For you to say that. Well, you are completely misguided by the St. Louis media OR you have to be related to Larry. Because no one backs up Pleau like you jet flamed.


You are right about one thing Antilles...Pleau made A LOT of mistakes in his career.

Wow. You are so uninformed. Laurie told Pleau to trade Pronger ASAP. Pleau didn't have the balls (like his entire career has shown) to tell Laurie "give me 2 weeks so I can get the best overall return." Instead Pleau (like he has done his whole career) was a yes man. And took the first "good offer" (in Larry's mind) that came along.

I just around about Doug Armstrong. But Armstrog is 10 times the Gm Pleau see was.

For you to say that. Well, you are completely misguided by the St. Louis media OR you have to be related to Larry. Because no one backs up Pleau like you jet flamed.


You are right about one thing Antilles...Pleau made a lot of mistakes in his career.
- Trust In Jarmo

Laurie told Pleau to not offer a QA to Pronger. Pleau talked him out of it, and then went around looking for a trade. 100 Things Every Blues Fan Should Know and Do Before They Die has a great section on it, including quotes from many involved. That's not a book put out or written by a Blues employee, btw. The story of what really went down made a couple other publications as well. Of course, to know more than the common rumors of what went down, you actually have to be a fan of a team, not someone who just jumps on the bandwagon for a few years. You have no clue what you are talking about here.

Absolute no brainer that Pronger should get in the HHOF

Wow. You are so uninformed. Laurie told Pleau to trade Pronger ASAP. Pleau didn't have the balls (like his entire career has shown) to tell Laurie "give me 2 weeks so I can get the best overall return." Instead Pleau (like he has done his whole career) was a yes man. And took the first "good offer" (in Larry's mind) that came along.

I just around about Doug Armstrong. But Armstrog is 10 times the Gm Pleau see was.

For you to say that. Well, you are completely misguided by the St. Louis media OR you have to be related to Larry. Because no one backs up Pleau like you jet flamed.


You are right about one thing Antilles...Pleau made a lot of mistakes in his career.
- Trust In Jarmo

What, no autographed picture of Larry Pleau next to your bust of Jarmo Kekalainen and your shrine to Scotty Bowman?

Pronger easily gets in the hall, I would say first ballot. One of the best all around D men to play the game in any era.

First ballot is what he deserves. I'm not sure if he will get in first ballot because of the interesting situation with his 'retirement.' I don't really know why that would effect voting, but for some reason I think it might. Either way, Pronger will be in the Hall before too long.

Leave it to Jarmo to turn a thread about how great a player's career was into a troll fest.

lol, an unsubstantiated rumour made up on Blues forums. A couple teams said they didn't realize Pleau would actually trade Pronger, and the internet snowballed those comments into the entire league having no idea he was even being discussed as being available. Pleau made a lot of mistakes as a GM, but the Pronger situation wasn't one of them.
- Antilles

Yes it was.

Pleau was a horrendous general manager in every sense.

To crossover a moment: Ernie Accorsi resigned as General Manager of the Baltimore Colts rather than forever have his name attributed to trading John Elway for less than market value as he was "told to do".

I would have had a lot more respect for Pleau had he walked away from the Blues rather than simply "do what I'm told". As a hockey guy - that's a coward's approach.

Pleau was a gutless piece of crap.

Absolute no brainer that Pronger should get in the HHOF
- flyerscup2011

“Candidates for election as Honoured Members in the player category shall be chosen on the basis of their playing ability, sportsmanship, character and their contribution to their team or teams and to the game of hockey in general”

If the Hockey HOF voters actually read these two words before casting their ballots, Pronger would not get in for a long time, if ever. But it seems like Baseball HOF voters are the only ones that hold players accountable to those kinds of standards. (and save your Ty Cobb argument...that was 100 years ago)

On "playing ability", and "contribution to their team or teams and to the game of hockey in general” Pronger is a Hall of Fame player for sure. That said, he has never, ever shown anything resembling HOF-caliber class, sportsmanship, or character.

One of the greatest defenseman ever. He played in 3 Stanley cup finals with 3 different teams from 2006-2010.

Unfortunately for Pronger, during his prime from 1997 to 2005 Pronger had one of the stupidest General managers in NHL history.

Yes, Bill Laurie forced a Pronger trade. Laurie never told Pleau to trade for Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywotika.

I could only imagine how many times Pronged should have played in a Stanley cup Finals if it wasn't for Larry Pleau from 1997-2005 and major injuries from 2011-2015.
- Trust In Jarmo

WOW, Jarmo, you are right. Damn lauries, you know your history with stl. are you from here or just a commie kings/jarmo fan???? ha ha ha just joking

WOW, Jarmo, you are right. Damn lauries, you know your history with stl. are you from here or just a commie kings/jarmo fan???? ha ha ha just joking
- BluesDroogie

I know most general managers and coaches for all teams. But I got to follow Larry Pleau extra close from 2002-2010 when Jarmo was in St Louis