Lauren Prongers interview with CSNs Lisa Hillary on her husbands post-concussion syndrome, is haunting.
In short, Chris Pronger is going through the identical stages that have plagued Keith Primeau and Ian Laperriere even to this day.
Pronger has occasional good days and more bad days and the two of them pray that one of these weeks, they can get consecutive days where he feels normal.
General manager Paul Holmgren said he holds no hope that Pronger will play either this season or in the playoffs.
The question now is, how does this impact the Flyers moving forward at next months NHL trade deadline?
Do the Flyers approach it as if Prongers career might be over as opposed to just this season?
Ive talked to Chris enough to know things arent going good, Holmgren said. Were not going to make any rash decisions. Well continue to look at the team for the present and the future and if something comes up that makes sense, well see what we can do.
NHL
Does it now seem like a career-ending injury for Pronger?
I dont know, Holmgren replied.
One of our doctors said to me that concussions are like finger prints. None of them are the same. We hope for the best for Chris. Over time here, maybe we need to look to prepare for the worst. I dont think were at that point right now.
Holmgren said Pronger has tried some new therapies and is wearing prescription glasses which seems to help him.
He will see his doctors again on Feb. 1.
On JVR and Betts
Winger James van Riemsdyk continues to recover from his concussion but is not skating, yet is making some progress.
JVR worked out today without any bad effects.
He is trending like Claude Giroux did, Holmgren said. If were saying no two concussions are the same, I dont know what that means.
On centerman Blair Betts, he said Betts will not play this season because of knee and other injuries. Holmgren said he wanted to get Betts a game or two in the AHL to see if he could play, but his injuries are such that is not going to happen.
Betts has been working out lately at Skate Zone and even got his old locker back. Holmgren said Betts one knee is not responding to rehab.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net