After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. The family ties run deep in the NHL. On Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Jack Pridham in the third round (92nd overall) in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Jack is the son of Maple Leafs’ assistant general manager Brandon Pridham, who has been with the organization since 2014. Jack, a Stouffville, Ontario, native, spent the 2023-24 season with the West Kelowna Warriors in the BCHL. At a stature of 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, he scored 23 goals and tallied 26 assists, totaling 49 points in 54 regular season games. His excellent play from the regular season carried over to the postseason, where he scored an additional eight goals paired with three assists for 11 points in 10 games – averaging over a point per game. Jack's father, Brandon, is a well-known figure in the NHL. As the Leafs' “cap wizard”, Brandon has gained a reputation for his mastery of the salary cap and his ability to navigate the complex financial landscape of the league. His work behind the scenes had been crucial in shaping the Leafs' roster, allowing them to stay competitive while managing their budget. Pridham’s role consists of managing the salary cap, negotiating contracts, and interpreting the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). From 2014-18, Pridham was a special assistant to the general manager before taking over as assistant general manager in 2019. Pridham plays an instrumental role on a day-to-day basis and has been a prime figure in building each roster. Now, his son, the next generation of the Pridham family, is poised to leave his mark in the NHL with the Blackhawks. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related 'We Need Your Pick Or Call A Timeout': Maple Leafs Take Their Sweet Time Trading Away Second-Round NHL Draft Pick to Panthers for More Picks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/we-need-your-pick-or-call-a-timeout-maple-leafs-take-their-sweet-time-trading-away-second-round-nhl-draft-pick-to-panthers-for-more-picks] Flames Receiving Inquiries on Former Maple Leafs Forward Nazem Kadri Amid Roster Reset; Should Toronto Look to Re-Acquire Him? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/flames-receiving-inquiries-on-former-maple-leafs-forward-nazem-kadri-amid-roster-reset-should-toronto-look-to-re-acquire-him] 'I Can Operate Heavy Machinery, Excavators, Backhoes, Stuff Like That': What the Maple Leafs are Getting by Selecting Ben Danford With Their First Pick in the NHL Draft [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-can-operate-heavy-machinery-excavators-backhoes-stuff-like-that-what-the-maple-leafs-are-getting-by-selecting-ben-danford-with-their-first-pick-in-the-nhl-draft] News from THN.com 2024 NHL Draft: Best Available After the First Round [https://thehockeynews.com/news/2024-nhl-draft-best-available-after-the-first-round] Oilers on the Verge of Becoming the Most Unlikely, Memorable Cup Champs in NHL History [https://thehockeynews.com/news/oilers-on-the-verge-of-becoming-the-most-unlikely-memorable-cup-champs-in-nhl-history] NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest on Pavel Buchnevich, Logan Couture and Cam Atkinson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-pavel-buchnevich-logan-couture-and-cam-atkinson]
