Pronger might miss start of Camp

[flyersfan4706]

Flyers' Chris Pronger might miss start of training camp - USATODAY.com

VOORHEES, N.J. — Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger is progressing nicely from offseason back surgery, but he might miss the start of training camp, general manager Paul Holmgren acknowledged Friday.

Pronger had disc fragments in his lower back removed on May 12 and underwent surgery to repair a broken hand on March 15.

According to Holmgren, Pronger was examined by a back specialist and a hand specialist last week and was given permission to step up his rehab.

Pronger, who will turn 37 in October, is vacationing and due back in South Jersey on Aug. 20.

"He's pushed things up another level in terms of his rehab and his workouts, so he's on the right track," Holmgren said.

"He's doing more than he was a week ago. We'll have a better idea when he comes back. If he's not ready to take part in the early part of camp, I don't think that's a big deal. Obviously, the most important thing is the regular season. We'll deal with it on a daily basis."

Pronger is coming off the most injury-prone season of his career. He had what he described as reconstructive surgery on his right knee last summer, forcing him to miss all of training camp and the first game of the regular season.

He needed surgery to repair a broken right foot on Dec. 17 and missed a month of action, then had hand surgery on March 15 that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season. He returned to play the final two games of the Flyers' first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres, but injured his back in Game 7.

Pronger played the opening game of the second-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, but did not return for the final three games of the sweep.

In all, Pronger missed 40 games last season (32 in the regular season, eight in the playoffs) because of injury.

Asked if he's concerned about Pronger's long-term health, Holmgren said: "Not at all. Chris takes good care of himself."

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

I'll take that over might miss the start of the season

 

[flyersfan4706]

The first line is all that matters to me

 

[wbon22]

as long as he comes back healthy. If he comes back like a wooden indian, the Flyers are in big trouble

 

[awaz]

i'm surprised.. he said a couple weeks ago that he'd probably miss the start of the season..

here we go again with him trying to come back to soon?

 

[TOX1]

He'll be fine.

 

[chy1127]

He'll be fine.

It is spoken! Or is it, It is so written!

 

[WOOTPOKER]

it's chris pronger..when he's back..even if he's 75%..its still chris pronger..and a 75% chris pronger is better than 75% of the league. i'll take it. people need to realize that his presence alone lifts a team.

 

[banditshcky11]

it's chris pronger..when he's back..even if he's 75%..its still chris pronger..and a 75% chris pronger is better than 75% of the league. i'll take it. people need to realize that his presence alone lifts a team.

bullshit

Coming back at less then 100% will only hurt the team in the long run. He rushed recovery last year and we all know how that worked out. He needs to take his time and actually be sure he can compete night after night in the NHL before he laces em up.

 

[Maverick426h]

This will be the very beginning of the season. Nobody is going to rush anyone back as the risk is too great and the reward is too little. Get him healthy and at 100% and go from there. I don't care if it's a month into the season. It doesn't matter. We expect to make the playoffs with or without Pronger, but at least make your best attempt to have him healthy at the end of the regular season. Starting him at 75% wouldn't help matters.

 

[awaz]

it's chris pronger..when he's back..even if he's 75%..its still chris pronger..and a 75% chris pronger is better than 75% of the league. i'll take it. people need to realize that his presence alone lifts a team.

bullshit
Coming back at less then 100% will only hurt the team in the long run. He rushed recovery last year and we all know how that worked out. He needs to take his time and actually be sure he can compete night after night in the NHL before he laces em up.

This will be the very beginning of the season. Nobody is going to rush anyone back as the risk is too great and the reward is too little. Get him healthy and at 100% and go from there. I don't care if it's a month into the season. It doesn't matter. We expect to make the playoffs with or without Pronger, but at least make your best attempt to have him healthy at the end of the regular season. Starting him at 75% wouldn't help matters.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

I don't see how this is rushing it. It has been almost 2 years since last season ended. At least it feels that way. And 2 years is plenty of time to recover from back surgery.

 

[awaz]

I don't see how this is rushing it. It has been almost 2 years since last season ended. At least it feels that way. And 2 years is plenty of time to recover from back surgery.

haha aint that the truth.. summer fuckin blows!

 

[mall3013]

Pronger did say on a conference call he is going to play 82 games this season. I doubt it will happen. He's two months behind In his training. I guess we will see.

 

[Maverick426h]

Pronger did say on a conference call he is going to play 82 games this season. I doubt it will happen. He's two months behind In his training. I guess we will see.

Well, I'd gladly watch him sit for the first dozen games if it means he'll be healthy and at 100% for the remaining 70 games and the playoffs. That is the point.

He played in every game for two straight seasons before this past season. I'm not even ready to call him injury prone after missing 32 games in just one season. Bad luck, maybe, but that is all.

 

[awaz]

Well, I'd gladly watch him sit for the first dozen games if it means he'll be healthy and at 100% for the remaining 70 games and the playoffs. That is the point.

He played in every game for two straight seasons before this past season. I'm not even ready to call him injury prone after missing 32 games in just one season. Bad luck, maybe, but that is all.

i'm not gunna call him injury prone either.. i'm just concerned about his back.. back surgery is bad for any 36 year old, let alone a hockey player, let alone a hockey player that is supposed to be physical

we'll see what he looks like in the fall.. i just wanna see this team hit the ice!

 

[flyersfan4706]

Chris Pronger thinks he'll be ready for Game 1 [Transcript] - Broad Street Hockey

 

[Maverick426h]

Chris Pronger thinks he'll be ready for Game 1 [Transcript] - Broad Street Hockey

Well, what I get out of this is that he expects to be ready for game 1 and play 82 games, but the reality of the situation is that he's taking it slow and making sure he's fully healed first. Also, he's two months behind in his weightlifting, he can't start for at least another week and the regular season will be underway within two months. A quick calculation tells me he won't be ready for the opener and I'm fine with that.

 

[flyersfan4706]

Well, what I get out of this is that he expects to be ready for game 1 and play 82 games, but the reality of the situation is that he's taking it slow and making sure he's fully healed first. Also, he's two months behind in his weightlifting, he can't start for at least another week and the regular season will be underway within two months. A quick calculation tells me he won't be ready for the opener and I'm fine with that.

Health is the key, we have a goalie now. Once he is 110% he may come back IMO.

 

[TOX1]

i'm not gunna call him injury prone either.. i'm just concerned about his back.. back surgery is bad for any 36 year old, let alone a hockey player, let alone a hockey player that is supposed to be physical

we'll see what he looks like in the fall.. i just wanna see this team hit the ice!

I hear ya Awazy. Let's get this bitch rollin already!

Backs? Here is my 2 cents....I had mine done when I was 38 and aside from some occasional spasms that last only a few minutes, I feel great. I am more structurally sound than at any point in my life.

I guess what I'm saying is that if a simple man like myself can have surgery on his back and have it be a total success, I see no reason to worry about a million dollar athlete with legions of physicians at his disposal.