Since he retired from the NHL in 2017, Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger has remained mainly out of the limelight. But on Monday, news emerged that Pronger would feature on ESPN’s studio coverage of the 2025 NHL Playoffs.
Pronger has as much experience on the ice as anyone, playing in 1,167 games throughout his 18-year NHL career. However, one thing that Pronger has yet to experience is analyzing the game on a national stage.
That is set to change, as ESPN announced in a press release on Monday that Pronger would join the network this week as a guest studio analyst for their pair of postseason games on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Pronger will first work alongside Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, and Arda Öcal for Tuesday’s Game 1 matchups between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals, followed by the Edmonton Oilers against the Vegas Golden Knights. On Wednesday, Pronger will cover the Game 2 Florida Panthers-Toronto Maple Leafs matchup, followed by the Dallas Stars-Winnipeg Jets Game 1 matchup.
In a post on X, Pronger would confirm ESPN’s press release, informing his fans that he is “looking forward” to his first ESPN assignment.
“It is official you have been asking for it, and now you’ve got it,” wrote Pronger. “Looking forward to joining Steve, Mark, and PK in the ESPN studio on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Some fun games to analyze and provide our unique insight on.”
It is official you have been asking for it and now you’ve got it. Looking forward to joining Steve, Mark and PK in the @espn studio on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Some fun games to analyze and provide our unique insight on. https://t.co/w6CkUYmvPu
— Chris Pronger (@chrispronger) May 5, 2025
Only time will tell whether Pronger will be as great a studio analyst as he was as a player or if he will continue to pursue more studio opportunities past this week. Regardless, credit to ESPN for doing a pretty great job of stacking their studio team with ultra-experienced former players.
Between Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, and Chris Pronger, ESPN’s studio team will have 3,757 NHL games of experience to speak on Tuesday, which seems like a recipe for great insight throughout the broadcast.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.