Pronger battling headaches; Schultz in Flyers' plans?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Pronger battling headaches; Schultz in Flyers' plans?
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
With captain Chris Pronger still bothered by headaches and his future unknown, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren was asked Monday if he felt he had to add a veteran defenseman when free agency starts on July 1.
“In a perfect world, probably yeah, but it's easier said than done,” he said, mindful that Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter is expected to be the top free-agent defenseman. “We'll take a peak on July 1st and see what's available and if there's a way we can improve our team, we'll take a shot at it."
Holmgren added he had no plans to make a deal for a free agent before July 1 to get their negotiating rights.
"There's nobody there right now that I would do that for,” he said.
The conversation drifted back to Pronger, who missed most of last season with post-concussion symptoms.
"Assuming Chris can't play, those are big shoes to fill. It's hard to find a Chris Pronger. I don't know if he's out there,” said Holmgren, who still is hoping Pronger can return. “Having said that, we are continuing to look to improve our team. I think getting Nicklas Grossman signed when we did was a positive step for us. If we can get Matt Carle signed I think that will help us long term.”
Holmgren noted that Braydon Coburn, Andrej Meszaros and Kimmo Timonen were established veterans. “Kimmo's still under contract for one more year. He's doing great, by the way, following his surgeries. We're still in decent shape there. Kimmo's getting older, so we have to look toward the future here to make plans to improve that area."
Holmgren wouldn’t comment about promising defenseman Justin Schultz, who is expected to become a free agent, because he didn’t want to be accused of tampering.
Schultz, who was drafted in the second round by Anaheim in 2008 but did not sign, figures to have a long line of suitors. Some consider Toronto the favorite to sign him.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Schultz would be a great signing by the Flyers. He would give them a much-needed right-handed shot and he is considered a can't-miss prospect.
In 121 games at the University of Wisconsin, Schultz had 40 goals and 73 assists. He reportedly is looking for guaranteed playing time on an NHL roster.
Stay tuned.
Flyers a PR finalist. The Flyers’ public-relations staff, led by the gimpy (and incomparable) Zach Hill, was named as a finalist for the Dick Dillman Award, given to the conference’s top media-relations department. The Flyers, Boston and Carolina are the Eastern Conference finalists.
Hill, by the way, recently had replacement surgery on BOTH knees.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
You decide: Flyers Stay or Go
Can Dave Schultz play defense, that is really what this team needs, a punishing hitter on D. Look how NJ's forecheck crippled the Flyers. NJ forwards making plays unscathed behind the net. Carle gave Parise the EZPass lane to the net.— BillyPhilly- Wha?? Dave Schultz wasn't a "punishing hitter" and was not particularly helpful or effective on the forecheck. For one thing, he was so ungodly slow on his skates that a player would pretty much have to be stationary and blindfolded for Schultz to hit him (legally). He was a totally one-dimensional player; think Zac Rinaldo, if he were big enough to actually win a fight once in a while.
— 1980 - Homer must sign this Justin Schultz. Somehow.
We could really use d-sive prospect like that.— Nitroglycerin - Man, it would be great if they were somehow able to grab Justin Schultz out of college the way they did Matt Read, wouldn't it? I read on one of the Canadian hockey sites that nobody should be worried about his wanting to step right onto an NHL roster - a lot of people think he's ready right now. — 1980
- Grossmann will have to give up his #8 to Schultz.— BobbyD
- Carle? Really? This team still needs a real net minder. Hopefully Bryz will refuse to leave the motherland...free up the position.— Phillyfan666
- One of Homer worst mistakes was extending Pronger's contract to begin with. The guy is toast and will never play another game with this team.— barry1757
- Not that this really is a Dave Schultz article, but he did score 20 goals with the Flyers in '73-74 and he did have two hat tricks with the orange and black. Don't worry, I'm not saying he's John Leclair or even Rick Tocchet. Just pointing out a little known fact.
And, Bryz is here to stay. Pronger is likely gone and Carle is likely back. Deal with it.— thawthor88 - Well, sometimes even a blind squirrel finds an acorn. Yeah, I agree with you about Bryz, Pronger and Carle, although somebody out there might decide to overpay Carle to the point where Homer lets him go. — 1980
- uhhhhhh too many puck moving defensemen.. let Carle go and pick up a crease clearer. Meszaros and Kimmo can handle the offense.— FABER
- fair but they'll just put him on the LTIR list--will have to pay him but I dont believe it counts against the cap.— btbenz
- 1980: I guess you don't go back to the Flyers glory days because if you did you were never compare Dave "The Hammer" Schultz to Zac Rinaldo. In addition to what thawthor88 mentioned, The Hammer also set up what is considered the biggest goal in Flyers history: Game 2 1974 Finals in Boston, stole the puck from Terry O'Reilly along the boards and passed it to Bill Flett, who sent it to Bobby Clarke who scored game winner in OT to turn the series around in Flyers favor. Before you bash the Hammer again, learn the history of the team and its players. btw, Zac Rinaldo couldn't carry The Hammers jock.— BobbyD
- I hope homers comments re: carle are just window dressing because carle is awful--slow to react, no urgency/little hustle, poor ice-sense/recognition (acted like he was totally unaware of what was going on at times, where the puck/pressure was, who to cover, etc)--looked like he could care less half the time, unless thats just his demeanor (not good if so)--his lack of recognition of where the play and situation was bordered on bizarre at times, it was so bad.— btbenz
- Signing Schultz is going to be interesting. I believe because he would be on an entry level contract what he can be paid is set in stone. Giving no team an opportunity to back up the brinks truck. It will come down to playing time and a great sales pitch.— chham57
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