Cue the Jaws Music: Chris Pronger Skates with the Philadelphia Flyers

Defenseman Chris Pronger skated Tuesday morning with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second time since having a knee scope during the summer. Pronger appears to be on pace to start the season with the club on Thursday when they face the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

“Its progressing well and we’ll see,” Pronger said to the media on Tuesday.

Pronger is a pivotal piece to the team’s defensive puzzle and he can make even mediocre goaltenders look above average. That might be quite necessary with starting goaltender Michael Leighton being out for the start of the season. 

The Flyers look to be leaning towards starting veteran Brian Boucher over rookie Sergei Bobrovsky in net for Thursday’s game.

“It’s great to see him out there, as a goalie,” goaltender Brian Boucher said regarding Pronger.  “We love having him back there.”

Pronger skated Tuesday with his defensive partner from last year, Matt Carle.  The pair totaled 90 points during last year’s regular season and were a huge part of the Flyers’ Stanley Cup Finals run. 

“When I found out about his knee surgery, I was joking with him that he is pulling a Brett Favre and just skipping training camp,” Carle quipped to the media.

It’s good to see the locker room is light and back to the way it was last year in the playoffs.  I think there is something to be said about the calming force of Peter Laviolette coaching this training camp.  This time last year, Jon Stevens was putting a mediocre product out on the ice and the Flyers were in disarray. 

With no excuses, the Flyers have high expectations and it is essential to get the season off to a good start.  The talent and leadership that Pronger provides will help put the Flyers in the right position for the beginning of the season and moving forward.

www.wolfgangsports.com