Per Yahoo’s Nick Cotsonika, Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger is in the running for a job in Stephane Quintal’s department of player safety at the NHL:
The All-Star defenseman and Stanley Cup champion has interviewed for a job in the DPS and is at the top of Quintal’s list to replace the departed Brian Leetch. He would be part of the team that analyzes plays, participates in hearings and gives input to Quintal, who makes the final decisions.
Pronger’s potential appointment has swiftly come under scrutiny, largely because of his ties to the Flyers organization. Though he hasn’t played a game since November of 2011 due to post-concussion syndrome, he remains on Philly’s payroll through the long-term injured reserve designation -- meaning that, for all intents and purposes, he’s still a Flyers employee. (He’s got a ways to go, too, as his contract doesn’t expire until 2017.)
There’s an obvious conflict of interest there, though Cotsonika does point out the following:A lot of confusion on Pronger. He wouldn’t rule on anything. He would be one of several offering input. Quintal makes the final decisions.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) October 8, 2014
In this regard, Pronger would make a lot of sense for a player safety role. He was on the receiving end of several punishments during his playing days, but also understands the significance of dangerous hits and incidents, given how dramatically his career was derailed by the aforementioned concussion issues.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the NHLPA is already involved in Pronger’s potential appointment.