There were few more intimidating figures on the blue line than Chris Pronger. As one of the most feared and punishing defensemen ever to play the game, Pronger suited up for a handful of teams during his career, winning the Stanley Cup in 2007 while also earning an estimated $111 million over the course of appearing in 1,167 career games.
However, it was a shocking trade that caught the entire hockey world completely off guard and subsequently made Pronger public enemy No. 1 in northern Alberta. Pronger had been dealt from the St. Louis Blues to the Edmonton Oilers prior to the 2005-06 season and agreed to a five year contract to play with his new team. He played the role of hero for the Oilers during their surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006 as Edmonton came within a game of hockey's ultimate prize.
But shortly after Edmonton's postseason run, Pronger demanded a trade. Essentially, his wife was not happy living in Edmonton despite her husband's hefty contract. Not surprisingly, Oilers fans who loved Pronger just weeks before suddenly loathed him for what they saw as a betrayal. Pronger was dealt to the sunny shores of Anaheim and joined the Ducks, where he helped them win the Stanley Cup the following year.
But just how close was Pronger to being dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs instead of the Ducks? According to Pronger himself while appearing on TSN1050's First Up, there were discussions between the Oilers and Leafs, but apparently Toronto wasn't willing to pony up what Edmonton wanted in return.
"I believe there was an offer or an ask in place and I don't think Toronto was willing to meet the ask and they offered something different that the Oilers were not interested in and the oilers went a different direction and I went to Anaheim," Pronger said.
Reportedly, the offer was Matt Stajan and 2007 and 2008 first-round picks (who turned into Lars Eller and Luke Schenn). Instead, the Oilers sent Pronger to Anaheim in exchange for Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Ladislav Smid and three draft picks.
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