Thursday, March 17, 2011
Posted: 2:01 p.m.
By Tim PanaccioCSNPhilly.com
ATLANTA -- When the pain in Chris Prongers right hand wouldnt subside, and X-rays and MRIs werent showing anything, sometimes it takes that one last test to discover a problem.
Or at the very least, ease a players mind.
Sometimes that last test does. And sometimes it doesnt, said Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.
Laviolette said Thursday he had concerns about Prongers hand but he didnt interfere with the medical process as it played out.
Hes one of our best players, andI guess this is kind of a blanket answer, but anytime a player is dinged up or banged up and out my lineup its a concern, Laviolette said. I think its an opportunity for others and I always say that.
Did the coach tell Pronger to seek more tests?
Its not my job, Laviolette replied. Like, we got great trainers in place, great doctors in place, and they got a lot more knowledge than I do. Were talking about looking at X-rays, bone scans. Not me.
NHL
Pronger hopes to be back by the final week of the regular season. Thats what he said on a conference call today.
When you have surgeries like that, there is always a timeframe and then guys heal up faster or it takes longer, depending upon the scenario, Laviolette said.
But I dont think theres an exact date, one that I know of, anyway. Once he gets back on the ice, feels good and gets clearance, hell be there.
Someone Nick Boynton got an opportunity the last game and we got through. Id rather have Pronger in there, but its not an option right now.
Tonight against the Thrashers, the opportunity goes to rookie Erik Gustafsson, who will replace Boynton and be paired with Sean ODonnell.
That defensive pair is not expected to see as much ice time as the top four: Kimmo Timonen, Matt Carle, Andrej Meszaros and Braydon Coburn.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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