Pronger's long road back
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Pronger's long road back
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
All the moves the Flyers have made during a dizzying off-season probably won't mean much if future Hall-of-Famer Chris Pronger doesn't return to form.
And it's going to take a while for that to happen.
Pronger, in an interview Wednesday on TSN radio, said he didn't know if he would be ready for the start of training camp on Sept. 16. Pronger is recovering from back surgery, and he is limited to walking on a treadmill and light bike riding.
The 36-year-old defenseman said he was at least three weeks away from training hard, adding that his doctor wanted his back to "scar up and then fully heal" before he did any strenuous workouts.
"I would say I'm quite a bit behind where I would be, training-wise, and workout-wise," he said on TSN. "Whether I'm at camp or not, I don't know that yet. It's still early to tell. I would guess I would not be starting camp, just from the mere fact that I haven't been able to work out at all yet. I'm skinny to begin with, and now I'm looking really skinny."
Doctors expect Pronger to make a full recovery.
Pronger, who will turn 37 on Oct. 10, played just 50 games last season, one in which he had three different surgeries. It was his lowest games total since 2002-03.
After being swept by Boston in the second round of the playoffs, the Flyers made a major overhaul. Ten players who were with the team at the end of last season, including captain Mike Richards and high-scoring Jeff Carter, are gone.
"I think the way we exited in the playoffs, and with our owner coming out and asking to get a goalie, that puts a little bit of cash restraints on your team with respect to the salary cap," said Pronger, who is expected to be named the Flyers' captain. "Moves have to be made. In order to free up money, you have to give up good players, and we obviously did that with both Mike and Jeff.
"But in return for those guys," Pronger added, "we got a lot younger, a little bigger up front and a little bit more gritty _ and I think that was something we were missing in the playoffs."
Pronger also praised the addition of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov; the two were teammates in Anaheim.
"I've seen what he can do when he's hot, and he's definitely a great goalie," Pronger said.
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And all this is why they couldn't trade Matt Carle, boys and girls— JSaq- They can still trade Carle since he's pathetic unless Pronger is out there. Carle makes too many turnovers and plays awful defense. I don't care who is/isn't on the roster, the Flyers would be better off without Carle. Thanks for your input, though. — Matt Mac Isaac
- Actually, the facts show that Carle was one of the more effective 5 on 5 defensemen in the NHL last year. He was among the NHL leaders in even strength points among defensemen, had more "plus" games than anyone on the team, and despite not being overly physical, is a solid defender.
But hey, why pay attention to facts when your opinion is more wrong than betting on the Cubs to win the World series— JSaq - Doesn't sound good.
Don't be surprised if Pronger isn't the captain— VicM - we need another D-man anyway— flyfightinbullies
- I hope he doesn't rush back early. I'd rather have him join the team late than come back early and get re-injured because he wasn't 100%.— Kanayd
- Please take your time and don't come back unless youare fully recovered.— Pete60
- i wonder if kevin marshall has a chance to make the team?— jamarder
- Ahhh, Marshall to replace Pronger's spot...that would ne a NO. It didn't work last year and it won;t work this year. They will need a NHL top 4 Dman to replace Prongs if he is not able to go.— bsbullie
- Reporting at it's laziest. Old news.— spittooncj
- You read the article though, didn't you? Even took the time to write something.
Whining at it's best...— 7xChamp - I wish we could sign Hannan. No interest in McCabe.
Pronger, Timonen, Carle, Coburn, Meszaros, Hannan and Lilja.— Nitroglycerin - Pronger can start playing in January or February— shawnmac
- Maybe a little sooner than that, like late November. Prongs should have started later last year, the rest would have helped him with the long NHL grind. He was visibly spent against the Hawks in the 2010 Finals. But back surgery worries me, Mark Howe was never the same player after his back operation....
- I hope the Flyers (or more likely Pronger himself) rush his return to the lineup. He came back last year before he was healed and we all know how that turned out.
On the bright side, the moves the Flyers made after the season ended bode well for a strong 2011-2012 season.
Flyers are in town December 4th and we can't wait.
