Mike Chen's Hockey Blog
Next entry: Investing with Gretzky and Messier
Previous entry: Where Will Khabibulin Land?
10 Years Ago: THN’s Top 50, #9
by Mike Chen on 09/30/08 at 12:36 PM ET
Comments (0)
#9 in our countdown of 1998’s THN Top 50 players brings a familiar face: Chris “Stompin’” Pronger.
At the tender age of 23, Chris Pronger was just emerging as a blueline force. Think Dion Phaneuf minus the hefty power play points (he was a year shy of that) and plus a DUI charge. Pronger’s points were good but not top-tier, but that was still to come as St. Louis’s go-to offensive defenseman Steve Duchesne left via free agency.
Pronger earned his high THN ranking based on a growing offensive game and an astonishing +47 rating on a mid-level Blues team with questionable goaltending. Ten years on, Pronger is still one of the game’s elite, and while his THN rating may have slipped a little bit (down to #11), the fact that he’s been a perenniel top-10 player for the past decade showcases both his versatility and his durability.
On the ice, his offensive game has grown, and his monster shot is a mainstay on the Anaheim power play. He’s still a fearsome competitor and a harsh shut-down player, though his tendency to take temper-driven bad penalties has gone down over the years. Pronger still plays with an edge (literally and figuratively); it’s just dulled a little bit as he’s matured, though his game hasn’t.
In comparison, this year’s #9 spot belongs to Evgeni Malkin—high praise for a third-year player. While Malkin represents a completely different position and style from Pronger, both hold equal importance to their team. We’ll see if Malkin’s still a top-10 player in 2018.
Filed in: NHL | Mike Chen's Hockey Blog | Permalink
Tags: Chris+Pronger,
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Putting Rules On The “Intent” Rule
Hockey Songs Vs. Cricket Songs
Off Topic: Writing About Writing
Triple-Dipping On Ticket Prices
Should The Sharks Re-Sign Patrick Marleau?
About Mike Chen’s Hockey Blog
Mike Chen prides himself in being the only hockey writer integrating puck discussion with both Morrissey quotes and Star Wars references. Since 2004, he’s blogged about all things hockey and currently contributes to FoxSports.com, the Battle of California, and RotoRob.
Questions? Comments? Hate mail? Contact Mike here.
Mike Writes For
Hockey Blogroll & Links
Mike Recommends
Buy all Sports Tickets including all NHL Hockey Tickets like Detroit Red Wings tickets, Anaheim Ducks Tickets, Nashville Predators Tickets, Buffalo Sabres Tickets, and Carolina Hurricanes Tickets.