Reports: Chris Pronger seeking role with NHL
BOSTON —Chris Pronger is rapidly approaching the three-year anniversary of his last NHL game, on Nov. 19, 2014. He has not put on full hockey equipment in 1,055 days.
There is no question, not even in his mind, that his playing days are over - his illustrious career cut short by concussion-like symptoms.
Yet, Pronger remains on the Flyers' roster.
His contract does not expire until June 30, 2017. Since suffering his eye injury on Oct. 24, 2011 when he was high-stuck by Toronto's Mikhail Grabovski, which contributes to his symptoms, he has continued to collect the $26,950,000 remaining on his contract.
Both Pronger and the Flyers are in an awkward position.
Pronger could file retirement papers, but the Flyers would be on the hook for his full $4.94 million salary cap hit through 2016-17. That's because of an NHL rule designed to cut down on teams circumventing the cap with long-term deals for players over the age of 35, knowing the odds of fulfilling the entire contract were slim.
Plus, if Pronger retired, he wouldn't be entitled to his remaining guaranteed salary. He doesn't need it, having earned $112-plus million in salary alone, but it is his right to collect in exchange for putting his well-being on the line nightly since he was 18.
The only problem is that Pronger is somewhat limited in the roles he can pursue inside the hockey world, even though his career is clearly over. He is still a Flyers employee.
That situation has put both the NHL and its Players Association in an equally awkward position this week. According to multiple reports yesterday, there is mutual interest between Pronger and the NHL on a job in the league's Department of Player Safety.
Can a Flyers team employee really have influence on league discipline matters?
"The league contacted the NHLPA about this matter yesterday and our discussions with them are ongoing," NHLPA spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon told the Daily News. "We are working to get this matter resolved in a timely manner."
Through the Flyers, Pronger declined comment last night, saying he might speak "in a couple days." A message left for Pronger on his cell phone by the Daily News went unreturned. Flyers GM Ron Hextall also declined to comment.
Pronger, who turns 40 on Thursday, would be a perfect fit to work under new vice president of player safety Stephane Quintal. He has not only been suspended 8 times in his career, but he knows the severity of hits to the head firsthand.
For now, it seems like an uphill battle, unless the NHL intervenes to amend a nonsensical rule in the case of legitimate career-threatening injuries.
Pronger has toed the line for the NHLPA for the past two seasons. Wanting to capitalize on his expertise and get some return for their $34.5 million investment, the Flyers asked Pronger to take a role in the scouting department. He partially rebuffed the team, saying he wanted to remain based in St. Louis and made it clear he is still a player and not a full-time team employee.
Pronger will be eligible for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame this summer, two full calendar years before his contract with the Flyers expires.
On Twitter | @frank_seravalli