Despite all the talk of their goaltending issues in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's been argued that the real issue the Philadelphia Flyers had in the postseason was the absence of defenseman Chris Pronger, who only played in three of his team's 11 games against Buffalo and Boston.
Chris Pronger Injury Could Force Flyers Defenseman To Miss Start Of Training Camp
We’re now into the dog days of the offseason in the midst of July, two months before training camps open around the NHL, and Pronger says he’s yet to start working out after having a herniated disc removed from his back. Via TSN1050 radio on Wednesday morning:
“I’m still probably three, three and a half weeks away from being able to train hard. I’m still walking on the treadmill, light bike riding. The back doctor wanted 12 weeks for me not doing a whole lot to allow that back area to scar up and then fully heal up before I start torquing and pushing on it hard,” said Pronger, who needed to remove a herniated disc that caused him back and leg problems.
“I would say I’m quite a bit behind where I would be training-wise and working out-wise. 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.”
Pronger missed the start of training camp, and the beginning of the regular season, a year ago with an ankle injury. With hand and back injuries suffered over the course of last season, the elite defenseman continues to show his age. Pronger is the most important single player on the Flyers roster and he's likely the next captain of the team after Mike Richards was traded to Los Angeles. His absence is not a welcome sight in Philadelphia.
For more on this story, check in with Broad Street Hockey.
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