Pronger to miss time

No not because of the NHL investigating his contract, but because of his knee surgery in July. Last week, Pronger and GM Paul Holmgren thought Pronger would be ready for camp and wouldn't be missing any time. Now CSNPhilly's Sarah Baicker reports that Pronger will not be healed come camp (Full Article).

"I hurt my knee in overtime in Game 1 against Boston," Pronger said Wednesday while working out at Skate Zone in Voorhees. "Moving forward from there it was obviously an issue. I had to get it drained a couple of times. It was pretty swollen through the course of the playoffs, but that's the nature of the game." "I hope to be in the lineup on October 7, but it is still very early on in the process to begin guessing on a timeframe," Pronger said.

Now the Matt Walker deal makes sense!...

In all seriousness Pronger will want to get back and be with the team on opening night in Pittsburgh; however, he knows that he has to be completely healthy if he wants to be in the line-up come late spring. Pronger will take his time coming back and not risk re-injury.

This leaves the Flyers down one defender in training camp making the competition even stronger. The Flyers top 4 (not including Pronger) are set with Meszaros, Coburn, Timonen, and Carle; and if Pronger isn't ready come October 7th there will be 2 spots open on the back pair. Sean O'Donnell is the front runner for the 6th and final spot of the fully healthy lineup, with Bartulis and Walker battling for the back-up role and in the case of Pronger missing time, a spot on the 3rd pairing.