Pronger really only gave the Flyers one good year. The last two seasons they have played without him more than with him. Timonen has been more of a factor in this lineup and will be harder to replace imo. I love Pronger but we never got our worth with him other than the cup run year.
- stveshdy

True, but Pronger had been remarkably healthy for a player that played as physically as he had for so long. The Flyers were not expecting him to basically last one season.

Pronger really only gave the Flyers one good year. The last two seasons they have played without him more than with him. Timonen has been more of a factor in this lineup and will be harder to replace imo. I love Pronger but we never got our worth with him other than the cup run year.
- stveshdy

I disagree. When Pronger was in the line up, he was huge for the Flyers. The best example I can give is the first game he played in the playoffs last season. He only played on the PP but his presence on the bench was known. It was huge. Him just being around is important in my opinion. I think it hurts the Flyers that he can't at least coach the same way Doug Weight would for the Islanders after he got hurt.

True, but Pronger had been remarkably healthy for a player that played as physically as he had for so long. The Flyers were not expecting him to basically last one season.
- Jsaquella

It's amazing to me the differences in view when it comes to Crosby's concussions the last year and half and then Pronger's recent concussion. Is it the age difference? I'd like to know who's was worse and on what level. Why can't Pronger come back with serious time off? What's Pronger's concussion history look like?

I would say that Schenn has more offensive ability then Grossmann also. But what are you trading to get Schenn? To play on the 3rd pair? Do you see him as the future replacement for Timonen?
- MJL

I believe Homer likes the idea of having a deep top 6. Would Schenn be replacing Kimmo brings in his prime? No, but at the same token his $3.6 million cap hit is very favorable for the next four years.

Certainly things will change but after next year guy's like Weber, Enstrom, and Edler are scheduled to be UFA. Kimmo's $6.3 million cap hit and Hartnell's $4.2 million cap hit come off the books.

To paraphrase, Schenn isn't my first choice, but due what the free agent and trade market bears, he may turn out to be the best alternative to help improve the d-core this year.

True, but Pronger had been remarkably healthy for a player that played as physically as he had for so long. The Flyers were not expecting him to basically last one season.
- Jsaquella

No question. The Flyers made the right decision trading for him. I'm just stating that the Flyers loss of Pronger isnt as much of a factor as Timonen because he never played much here. The adjustment period without Pronger has happened but losing Timonen is a player whos consistantly been in the lineup. That has to be replaced at some point.

I would say that Schenn has more offensive ability then Grossmann also. But what are you trading to get Schenn? To play on the 3rd pair? Do you see him as the future replacement for Timonen?
- MJL

I believe Homer likes the idea of having a deep top 6. Would Schenn be replacing Kimmo brings in his prime? No, but at the same token his $3.6 million cap hit is very favorable for the next four years.

Certainly things will change but after next year guy's like Weber, Enstrom, and Edler are scheduled to be UFA. Kimmo's $6.3 million cap hit and Hartnell's $4.2 million cap hit come off the books.

To paraphrase, Schenn isn't my first choice, but due what the free agent and trade market bears, he may turn out to be the best alternative to help improve the d-core this year.

I disagree. When Pronger was in the line up, he was huge for the Flyers. The best example I can give is the first game he played in the playoffs last season. He only played on the PP but his presence on the bench was known. It was huge. Him just being around is important in my opinion. I think it hurts the Flyers that he can't at least coach the same way Doug Weight would for the Islanders after he got hurt.
- roenick97

I'm not arguing that at all. Pronger is very important. Just stating that hes missed more time than actually playing here. The Flyers have adjusted to life without Pronger over the past two seasons. The Flyers havent had to do that without Timonen. He will need to be replaced. He has been a cornerstone defenseman for this team for awhile now.

I believe Homer likes the idea of having a deep top 6. Would Schenn be replacing Kimmo brings in his prime? No, but at the same token his $3.6 million cap hit is very favorable for the next four years.

Certainly things will change but after next year guy's like Weber, Enstrom, and Edler are scheduled to be UFA. Kimmo's $6.3 million cap hit and Hartnell's $4.2 million cap hit come off the books.

To paraphrase, Schenn isn't my first choice, but due what the free agent and trade market bears, he may turn out to be the best alternative to help improve the d-core this year.
- ravishingone

But what are you giving up to get him? When or if Timonen retires, or moves on from the Flyers, is Schenn then going to move into the top 4? If he's not, then that's a lot of money for a 5/6 D man, if your going to go out and get a top UFA to replace Timonen. With the addition of Grossmann. I would move on from any interest in Schenn.

It's amazing to me the differences in view when it comes to Crosby's concussions the last year and half and then Pronger's recent concussion. Is it the age difference? I'd like to know who's was worse and on what level. Why can't Pronger come back with serious time off? What's Pronger's concussion history look like?
- roenick97

Pronger's current concussion, IIRC, is the first of his NHL career.

The thing with concussions is, no two are the same. Primeau still has symptoms, and he sustained his last concussion in the fall of 2005.

One thing that can have an serious impact is sustaining a second concussion while still dealing with the initial one. That's what got Crosby. He probably was concussed during the Winter Classic, but played the next game and got clobbered again.

As far as time off, Crosby's a 24 year old, Pronger's 38. If Pronger misses the time Crosby did, he's going to be 40 when he returns, with two years of rust

No question. The Flyers made the right decision trading for him. I'm just stating that the Flyers loss of Pronger isnt as much of a factor as Timonen because he never played much here. The adjustment period without Pronger has happened but losing Timonen is a player whos consistantly been in the lineup. That has to be replaced at some point.
- stveshdy

On a game in, game out basis, absolutely. They have been forced to replace Pronger or at least try to fill the hole and have done so to some extent.

That said, they could immediately turn and use the freed space from Timonen to add a borderline elite defenseman as a UFA

Pronger's current concussion, IIRC, is the first of his NHL career.

The thing with concussions is, no two are the same. Primeau still has symptoms, and he sustained his last concussion in the fall of 2005.

One thing that can have an serious impact is sustaining a second concussion while still dealing with the initial one. That's what got Crosby. He probably was concussed during the Winter Classic, but played the next game and got clobbered again.

As far as time off, Crosby's a 24 year old, Pronger's 38. If Pronger misses the time Crosby did, he's going to be 40 when he returns, with two years of rust
- Jsaquella

There's a fly in the ointment. If Pronger is ever deemed healthy enough to play before his deal runs out.

Pronger's current concussion, IIRC, is the first of his NHL career.

The thing with concussions is, no two are the same. Primeau still has symptoms, and he sustained his last concussion in the fall of 2005.

One thing that can have an serious impact is sustaining a second concussion while still dealing with the initial one. That's what got Crosby. He probably was concussed during the Winter Classic, but played the next game and got clobbered again.

As far as time off, Crosby's a 24 year old, Pronger's 38. If Pronger misses the time Crosby did, he's going to be 40 when he returns, with two years of rust
- Jsaquella

This is a big if but if Pronger is under contact and capable of playing, I'm all for him playing no matter the age. Has Pronger declined in some areas, yes but he still remains great. I'm more impressed with his smarts then what he's actually capable of doing.

There's a fly in the ointment. If Pronger is ever deemed healthy enough to play before his deal runs out.
- MJL

That's the other issue. Pronger is still kind of stuck in neutral in terms of his progress with the PCS. Having good and bad days likely means he's a long ways off.

On a game in, game out basis, absolutely. They have been forced to replace Pronger or at least try to fill the hole and have done so to some extent.

That said, they could immediately turn and use the freed space from Timonen to add a borderline elite defenseman as a UFA
- Jsaquella

Well Enstrom, Edler, and White are the best available next offseason as UFA. Now the Flyers have the choice of trading for a borderline elite defenseman. If I am the Flyers I'm looking into Seabrook, Enstrom and Edler. The Flyers could wait and see what happens with Weber or UFA next year but we all know the Flyers are not a patient team. They try to get the best team on the ice each year and will do whatever it takes to upgrade a need.

But what are you giving up to get him? When or if Timonen retires, or moves on from the Flyers, is Schenn then going to move into the top 4? If he's not, then that's a lot of money for a 5/6 D man, if your going to go out and get a top UFA to replace Timonen. With the addition of Grossmann. I would move on from any interest in Schenn.
- MJL

Homer was willing to bring Meszy and his $4 million cap hit as a 5th defensemen with Pronger, Kimmo, Coburn (I think he was making $3 million at the time), and Carle at $3.5 million. So I don't think they mind that type of cap hit on a third pairing. As far as Kimmo's replacement as the #1 d-man, agreed Schenn isn't the guy. However, acquiring Schenn as an asset who can improve the team this year with Kimmo on the roster is not necessarily a bad thing if a Weber, Bogosian, Seabrook, etc aren't available.

As far as a trade for Schenn, somehow I would try and put together a package involving a young forward (obviously not G or Coots) and somehow trade spots with Toronto in the first round. My scenerio I have written is certainly highly unlikely, but Burke may be impatient.

This is a big if but if Pronger is under contact and capable of playing, I'm all for him playing no matter the age. Has Pronger declined in some areas, yes but he still remains great. I'm more impressed with his smarts then what he's actually capable of doing.
- roenick97

If Pronger gets healthy and can return for 2013-14, I'm all for it.

The immediate concern would be rust and conditioning. It's harder to get in and stay in good shape as you age. But with hard work, he certainly could get back into game shape if the PCS clears up and he can play.

The other concern is, obviously, another concussion. If he's playing and you're counting on him, and he has another concussion, then you have to fill the hole on the fly.

If Pronger gets healthy and can return for 2013-14, I'm all for it.

The immediate concern would be rust and conditioning. It's harder to get in and stay in good shape as you age. But with hard work, he certainly could get back into game shape if the PCS clears up and he can play.

The other concern is, obviously, another concussion. If he's playing and you're counting on him, and he has another concussion, then you have to fill the hole on the fly.
- Jsaquella

I'm sure you have the same feeling, Pronger is done.

Well Enstrom, Edler, and White are the best available next offseason as UFA. Now the Flyers have the choice of trading for a borderline elite defenseman. If I am the Flyers I'm looking into Seabrook, Enstrom and Edler. The Flyers could wait and see what happens with Weber or UFA next year but we all know the Flyers are not a patient team. They try to get the best team on the ice each year and will do whatever it takes to upgrade a need.
- stveshdy

Shea Weber could be a UFA next summer, too. If he ends up with a one year deal with Nashville, they will certainly be trying to land him, if possible.

I wouldn't be amazed if they tried to trade for Weber this summer, and lock him up to a 9 or 10 year deal. It wouldn't be priority one, but I'm sure that Holmgren and Poile have talked about it.

I'm sure you have the same feeling, Pronger is done.
- stveshdy

I would be surprised if he could return, yes. Never say never, but the slow progress combined with age and the way the NHL handles this stuff now...

Shea Weber could be a UFA next summer, too. If he ends up with a one year deal with Nashville, they will certainly be trying to land him, if possible.

I wouldn't be amazed if they tried to trade for Weber this summer, and lock him up to a 9 or 10 year deal. It wouldn't be priority one, but I'm sure that Holmgren and Poile have talked about it.
- Jsaquella

I don't see Weber hitting the market but thats just me. I think Nashville trades Weber and where ever he ends up he signs a long-term deal (just my guess). You are probably right that the Flyers will be calling Nashville to acquire Weber this summer/or at draft.

I don't see Weber hitting the market but thats just me. I think Nashville trades Weber and where ever he ends up he signs a long-term deal (just my guess). You are probably right that the Flyers will be calling Nashville to acquire Weber this summer/or at draft.
- stveshdy

I don't see him hitting the market, either. If Nashville loses him for nothing it would be a disaster for the team.

I would be surprised if he could return, yes. Never say never, but the slow progress combined with age and the way the NHL handles this stuff now...
- Jsaquella

I still hold out hope, the initial eye trauma certainly adds a different spin to his symptons, which who really knows what can or cannot change in his situation

I would be surprised if he could return, yes. Never say never, but the slow progress combined with age and the way the NHL handles this stuff now...
- Jsaquella

There's been no signs of Pronger being symptom free. Homer just announced the other day that he's still having the same issues. I don't think he comes back at this point but will see.

I still hold out hope, the initial eye trauma certainly adds a different spin to his symptons, which who really knows what can or cannot change in his situation
- ravishingone

It's not impossible. He could wake up tomorrow and be symptom free. That's the problem with the damned things, you never really know until the symptoms go away.

I still hold out hope, the initial eye trauma certainly adds a different spin to his symptons, which who really knows what can or cannot change in his situation
- ravishingone

I have to look at it from the worst possible scenario, that he is done. The Flyers need to move on at this point. Now if by some "Miracle" he is able to play again that will be a bonus but what will he have left in the tank at that point?