Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren met with the media for the first time since the bicycle accident that sent him to the hospital on Labor Day Tuesday morning. He was reluctant to talk much about how hes feeling, but looked healthy and appeared to walk without much trouble.
Yeah, I guess, Holmgren said, when asked if he was feeling better. Well see. Slow going.
As for Chris Pronger, the Flyers top defenseman working to return from off-season back and hand surgeries, Holmgren was much more inclined to elaborate.
Physically, I think Chris is finding out that he feels better than even he thought he would, Holmgren said. Hes pushed the envelope the last few days, going on the ice and shooting the puck and doing a lot of stuff.
I asked him the other day how far behind he is in terms of what he would have done on a normal year. He said, I probably would have skated a couple weeks ago. So I think hes right on track for all hes been through, and Im excited about him being ready at the start of the season, and I think he is too.
Theres no definite timeline for Prongers return. He likely wont join his teammates on the ice Saturday, when the full teams training camp begins. But Holmgrenand Prongerare optimistic hell be ready for Day 1 of the NHL season.
Right now, I think he is going to be ready for Day 1, Holmgren said. We havent had any setbacks. He continues to get better every day. Hes been on the ice the last few days here, and the off-ice rehab and conditioning hes doing here is right on track.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com