Pronger talks about rehab, Richards
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Pronger talks about rehab, Richards
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger said Thursday his rehab from back surgery was progressing, but that he didn’t know if he would be ready for the start of training camp in September.
"I'm not Kreskin," he said.
In a wide-ranging conference call with reporters, Pronger said he was brought in two seasons ago to help Mike Richards with his captaincy, added that the surgery for a herniated disk had eased the pain in his leg, and acknowledged that his injury-plagued season was “frustrating.”
Pronger, whose team was swept by Boston in the conference semifinals, was asked about Richards and how he has handled the captaincy.
“When a team wins, players get pats on the back, and that’s usually your captain and goalie.” He added that the opposite happens when a team loses, and said that was unfair.
“People can say whatever they want about Richie. At the end of the day, it’s a team sport,” he said.
Added Pronger: “I was brought it to help him be a captain…I think he’s made some strides. Everyone does things their own way.”
Pronger on being a captain in Philadelphia. “It’s not easy when expectations are high.”
He added it was “a little ridiculous for people to be blaming one person” _ Richards _ for the Flyers playoff failure.
Asked if he thought the Flyers needed to add a goaltender, Pronger said, “Goalies don’t grow on trees…The difficult part is, who do you have to give up to get one?”
Pronger, who will turn 37 on Oct. 10, said he did not know when he could begin skating, adding there were “lots of hurdles before I can do anything.”
The defenseman's back surgery was his fourth operation in a 9 1/2-month period.
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If you want the FULL TRANSCRIPT, it's here: http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2011/5/26/2191713/chris-pronger-talks-about-his-injuries-mike-richards-goalies-more#storyjump Time to go back to journalism school, Carchidi. Once again bloggers trump old-timer print journalists.— bpkrier- Here's the full quote about Mike Richards, from broadstreethockey.com's FULL TRANSCRIPT. It sure gives a lot more context and paints a better picture of what Pronger was saying: "People can say whatever they want about Richie, but at the end of the day you have to realize it's a team sport. Actually I did see one, is Sam Donnellon on the call? He's not? I saw one headline "Should Mike Richards step away for a year from the C?" What good does that do? That is the most ridiculous thought I have heard yet. This is on the job training for Mike."— bpkrier
- too old to play in the nhl? tell that to Roloson and Recchi.— stonelamb
- When the team is winning, the Captain isn't needed as much. When the team is losing, that's when the Captain steps up and shows his leadership. It's sad and pathetic when Richards needs to be defended. He was/is too young and he doesn't have the personality to be a Captain.— ej610
- Asked if he thought the Flyers needed to add a goaltender, Pronger said, “Goalies don’t grow on trees…The difficult part is, who do you have to give up to get one?”-----Ahh, somebody actually understands why Philadelphia 'just doesn't get a goalie' all the couchcoaches: just get a goalie, that's why they don't win. richards cant be captain cause he's quiet (huh?), pronger is too old get rid of him(except, the team lost most its games without him)...freakin geniuses.
-not bob levy
— remyy - Just when I think that Philly's hockey writers are beneath the readers...I read the comments. Lot of dumb going on.— JSaq
- flyers need a goalie...the goal tending IS to blame— danielboyer
An LA Kings blogger blasts the San Jose Sharks. Hilarious: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Eulogy-Remembering-the-2010-11-San-Jose-Sharks;_ylt=AtMQvw6C7FVheg61eq72PBF7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp5744- Considering that Tampa is playing a journeyman they picked up from the Islanders, and Tim Thomas was a career minor leaguer playing in Europe until Boston used him to fill a hole at the bottom of their depth chart, it's not like they can just know who to get. Great goalies still bomb out in the first round, and Michael Leighton was one bad goal away from winning the cup. It's a team game, and the defense needs to prevent the tough shots as much as goalie needs to stop them.— Pelti
- Carchidi is a relic. Folks- Pronger's best days are well in his rear view mirror. He is not going to get better going forward.— Northcountry
- I'm not Kreskin! Lol, he is awesome...— IvanDejesus
- Where is Ritchie when all of this is going on? How is that wrist? Probably not bad on the back nine.— Hobbes1121
- Goalies don't grow on trees? Either do first round draft picks, but that doesn't stop Homer from throwing them away on players like Versteeg and Eminger.— BobbyD
- People on this site continue to show how stupid they are...— Ernie D
- The Flyer's season is over and the writers are asleep until training camp. The Memorial cup was won by the Saint John Sea Dogs (that's in the QMJHL) on Sunday night and the winning goalie was no other then Flyer's prospect Jacob DeSerres. Great hockey coverage as usual. I guess if you don't read it on tsn.ca there is no need to re-post it here?— johnpowell
