- Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: After being examined by neurologists on Wednesday, Chris Pronger will be shut down for the regular season and playoffs. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren:
“After consultation with respected concussion specialists Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Micky Collins, it is the opinion of both doctors that Chris is suffering from severe post concussion syndrome.
“It is the recommendation of doctors Maroon and Collins that Chris not return for the remainder of the 2011-12 season or playoffs. Chris will continue to receive treatment and therapy with the hope that he can get better.”
The Flyers are likely going to wait a bit before the look to add a defenseman.
- Adam Kimelman via twitter: Pronger will continue to receive treatment and hopes to be able to play next year.
- Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Burnside and LeBrun talk Pronger and concussions. A source told LeBrun that they won’t immediately look to add a Dman. Closer to the trade deadline day (Feb. 27th), they could look at Ryan Suter, Shea Weber, Sergei Gonchar, Tim Gleason, Jaroslav Spacek and Bryan Allen.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein wonders if bringing back the clutch and grab is the only way to slow the game down. Would you want the pre-lockout style of hockey to return?
- Luke DeCock via twitter: DeCock wouldn’t be surprised if the Hurricanes are one of the first calls the Flyers make in search of a defenseman.
- TSN Insider Trading link: Panel talks Pronger injury and what next for Flyers. Kings and Darryl Sutter. Messier and the money the Canucks owe him.
- Jim Matheson via twitter: After the Christmas roster freeze, which begin on Dec. 19th, Matheson thinks the Oilers need to make a trade to shake things up.
- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Kings center Mike Richards will join the team today in Detroit. There is no word on when he’ll be able to practice.
- Arthur Staple via twitter: Islanders forward Brian Rolston is out with a concussion.
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund has been out all year with bad knees, and could be done for the season. He had surgeries on both knees on Oct. 11th to clean out “loose bodies.”
“It just hurts him a lot more than what he would have expected or the doctors would have expected,” Boucher said. “It’s … difficult to manage because you can’t do much more than what’s been done. It’s pain tolerance. It’s a question of mobility. It’s a question of can he skate at the level in the NHL he needs to follow.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen could return to practice within a week. “It’s very positive right now,” Nieuwendyk said. “We’re not going to rush him, and we’re taking every precaution, but there is a chance that he’s a practice player within a week, so that’s great news.”
- Bob Cohn of hte PIttsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins center Jordan Staal will be a game time decision tonight. Zbynek Michalek is a go.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avs winger David Jones has a groin injury and missed last night’s game. Brandon Yip (groin), Chuck Kobasew (head), Peter Mueller (head), Mark Olver (head) and Ryan Wilson (head) are also out.