Chris Pronger and the 6 Biggest Letdowns in Philadelphia Flyers Recent History

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The Philadelphia Flyers have been on one of the hottest streaks in recent memory, but focusing on that covers up for what is really going on in the Flyers organization right now.

Last week, the team announced that their captain, Chris Pronger, will miss the remainder of the season due to severe post-concussion syndrome. They then put Claude Giroux, one of the up-and-coming superstars in league, and the league leader in points, on an "indefinitely out" list.

The Flyers continue to play strong and continue to win hockey games without their two leaders on the ice.

But what about at the end of the season? Will Pronger be missed? Will Giroux turn into another Sidney Crosby story?

This got me wondering about the 10 biggest letdowns in Flyers' history.

Chris Pronger

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Now, don't take this the wrong way. I'm not saying that Chris Pronger has been a waste for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Pronger has meant so much to this team for the last three seasons. He single-handedly propelled this ordinary team to win the Eastern Conference and got the orange and black back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

I wouldn't necessarily label him a letdown because of his play, but because of what could have been.

For the past two seasons, Pronger seems to be off the ice, and not playing, more than he is on the ice and healthy. Sure, being 37 years old will do that to you, especially after you've been in the league since 1993.

It remains to be seen how the Flyers will finish this season. If they do not end up as champions, you have to wonder—what if.

Keith Primeau

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Keith Primeau is another Flyers captain whose career was hurt after suffering a severe concussion.

Primeau had to end his career early after suffering multiple concussions during a time when the orange and black were among the elite teams in the NHL.

The former Flyers captain will always be remembered for his leadership and his physical play. Perhaps most importantly, he will be remembered for sending us all to bed happy after watching a five-overtime thriller in Pittsburgh.

But again, what could have been?

Primeau is only 40 years old and has been out of the league for almost six years now.

Letting Rod Brind'Amour Go

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Rod Brind'Amour will go down as one of the greatest Flyers ever to play the game. He will also go down as one of the most loved and respected players in orange and black history. And yet, Brind'Amour was traded away in order to help get the team "over the hump."

In 2000, he was traded to Carolina for the aforementioned Keith Primeau. Trading for a guy like Primeau at the price of Brind'Amor hurt Flyers fans then, and it still hurts now.

It was just weird seeing him play in anything but an orange sweater.

At the time, Bobby Clarke thought it would be a move to get the Flyers their first Stanley Cup since 1975. Instead, Brind'Amour was the one that led his new team to a Cup in 2006.

Seeing Eric Lindros Struggle to Get Back on the Ice

Everyone remembers where they were sitting, and what they were doing, on May 27, 2000 when Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals took place in Philadelphia.

The Flyers had just forced a Game 7 back at home. In the end, though, it was not meant to be for the Flyers. The infamous Scott Stevens hit on Eric Lindros sidelined the Flyers star, who was labeled as "the next one" for the next year.

After a year off the ice, it got worse for Lindros. He did not receive a new deal from the Flyers and was eventually traded to New York.

This was supposed to be the guy that got the Flyers back to a championship.

Peter Forsberg Never Being 100 Percent

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When the NHL returned from its lockout in 2005, the Flyers took center stage by making the signing of superstar Peter Forsberg official.

Forsberg was widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, player in the league. He came to the Flyers looking to give the team a boost after Keith Primeau retired.

It was never meant to be for Forsberg and the Flyers. In less than two seasons with the club, he played in only 100 games. How many of those games was he 100 percent and not hobbled by an ankle or groin injury? You could probably count them on one hand.

It was a case of yet another unfortunate Flyers superstar career being cut short by injuries.

Falling Short Against the Blackhawks in 2010

The Flyers organization has seen just about every trophy lifted in their hands since the 1970s, except for Lord Stanley's Cup.

2010 was yet another season of so close, but yet so far away.

The Flyers snuck into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season, which kick-started a miraculous run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Their efforts, albeit impressive and inspiring, was not just enough. They were clearly overmatched against the Chicago Blackhawks.