In recent years the NHL lost a handful of former players and Department of Player Safety employees, mostly to NHL front office gigs (Rob Blake and Brendan Shanahan for example). Faced with a deficit of former players to staff the disciplinarian wing of the league office, the league reportedly wants Philadelphia Flyers employee (on paper) Chris Pronger to join Stephane Quintal's regime.
There's only one problem: Pronger isn't officially retired, he's just on Long-Term Injured Reserve (really long-term, since he'll never play again).
Still, the league hopes to hire Pronger, one of the dirtiest players in recent memory, in short-order - ideally later this week.
From Sportsnet's John Shannon:
Hearing NHL is hoping to have CPronger's situation resolved...for him to join Player Safety Dept...by Friday. Discussion with PA continue.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) October 9, 2014
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman discussed the Pronger situation during his season-opening press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday. While Bettman wouldn't confirm the league's interest in hiring Pronger, he expressed optimism that if they wanted to, they'd be able to.
"Chris' case is unique," explained Bettman. "There are salary cap reasons why he couldn't officially retire, but the fact of the matter is, if in fact we go in that route, I'm not sure that presents any problem at all to deal with. He's done playing. He gets paid no matter what from the Flyers. He doesn't owe them anything."
