Thursday, March 31, 2011
Posted: 10:43 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
Chris Prongers return to the Flyers lineup has now been pushed back to the playoffs.
General manager Paul Holmgren admitted Thursday night that the Flyers top defenseman has suffered a setback in his rehab on his surgically-repaired right hand and will not be available to get a game or two in next week when the regular season ends.
Pronger was all smiles earlier this week, taking practice and trying to get back into the Flyers lineup at seasons end before the playoffs.
Holmgren denied rumors that Pronger had some sort of new medical procedure on his hand when the Flyers were in Pittsburgh earlier this week. Sources close to Pronger say they are not aware of such, either.
No, he did not, Holmgren told CSNPhilly.com. Other club sources said the same thing.
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Holmgren said that Pronger, who was taking hard shots this week and last, probably pushed it a little bit too quickly on the rehab.
Chris wants to play, Holmgren said. Maybe we got the cart a little bit ahead of the horse there.
One person said they had not seen Pronger since Monday anywhere around the Flyers facilities.
I would classify it as a minor setback, Holmgren said. We were hoping he would play some games here at the end of the regular season but that is probably more than likely out of the equation now.
Holmgren said that the club is not going to get real aggressive in trying to get Pronger a game or two before the playoffs.
The playoffs are more important right now, he said. Well see how it goes. Well monitor it on a daily basis. He hasnt done much in terms of rehab on his hand in the last few days. Well take it a day at a time.
Pronger last practiced on Monday after team photos here. Holmgren said doctors seem confident hell be ready for the playoffs.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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