When Carolinas Erik Cole suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck back in March of 2006, coach Peter Laviolette had no expectations of a return.
They said he wouldnt be back, Laviolette recalled on Saturday before facing Tampa Bay. But when they said that, I dont know if they took into account that we would be in the Final June 18 and June 20. Eventually, players heal and get healthy.
Cole played Games 6 and 7 as Carolina won the Stanley Cup over Edmonton.
Which brings us to Chris Pronger.
No one knows if, or when, the Flyers captain will return from now appears to be an eye concussionyes, such concussions do exist.
Does Laviolette proceed as if Pronger, like Cole, isnt coming back?
Im not sure exactly what that means, Laviolette replied. We dont change our game. We dont change a game based on the fact Martin St. Louis is not in for Tampa Bay ...
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Weve recalled some guys from our minor league affiliate, who have filled in admirably ... There is still an expectation we will get him back at some point. I dont think there is any answer for thatI dont know what it means when we do prepare now for life without Chris Pronger.
Lavioletts top four defensemen, Kimmo Timonen (22:03), Matt Carle (22:22), Braydon Coburn (21:55) and Andrej Meszaros (20:34) have already seen their minutes climb slightly. They could climb higher as the season moves along.
Rookie Marc-Andre Bourdon (13:18) has shown not only is he capable of playing above expectations, but likely deserves more minutes. Fellow rookie Kevin Marshall (9:05) is not at Bourdons physical level, but hasnt hurt the Flyers either.
With regard to those guys, its kind of like the Sean Couturier line, Laviolette said. And Matt Read. These guys have never really had an opportunity in the NHL like they do now. So, what you do now give them opportunity and watch to see how they respond.
So far they have responded well. Bourdon has been called on a little more than Marshall and they both have played well. Bourdon has looked good. Hes heads up. Hes physical Hes done a nice job. You guys see that as well. Opportunity is one thing. What you do with opportunity is another.
Laviolette says to forget about minutes played.
You dont see any of our defenseman playing 32 minutes, Laviolette said. Once in a while because of overtime and just a ridiculous amount of penalties weve taken weve gotten a defenseman up to 28.
Coburn logged 28 minutes recently against the Rangers.
Can you increase the minutes for the rookies?
I dont need to do anything, Laviolette said. I dont know where youre going with this. Were winning games
Laviolette says he feels genuinely bad for Pronger, who missed his 15th game overall last game (grand total of several injuries).
First and foremost, I hope he gets healthy for life. Its never any fun. You guys know this. Youve had an injury. Youve had something thats bugged you or nagging you. It sucks. I hope he gets healthy first and foremost and feels good.
Laviolette gets an injury report update every day from the medical staff. He sees general manager Paul Holmgren almost daily. They dont talk trades, he said.
Those conversations dont necessarily take place like that because they are not announcements that are made, Laviolette said. Im in there every day, living it with Paul and he coaches and players and injuries happen every time.
What if Holmgren were to ask him whether he is comfortable going to February or even the end of the year without Pronger?
I am extremely comfortable with the players in that room tonight, Laviolette said, looking at the dressing room door at Wells Fargo Center.
To feel that we can go out and big a big win. Just like I was with the Pegnuins. Just like I was going into Buffalo.
That sounds like coach speak to us.
Thats not coach speak, he replied. How did we do those games?
The Flyers won.
Paul and I have a great relationship, Laviolette said. We talk almost every day. I am not the general manager, I am the coach, but we talk every day.
There are always conversations. That being said, I want to be clear, that team in there, just beat the Penguins just jumped up to first and man, I sure would like to extend that lead tonight. And I believe they can do that. That team in there tonight.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net