Looks like the Flyers won’t be able to rely on Chris Pronger down the stretch.
The star defenseman and vocal leader of the Orange and Black is set to have surgery Tuesday to fix a fracture in his right hand, reports NBC Philadelphia’s John Clark.
The 36-year-old hasn’t played since last Tuesday.
"Chris had a CT scan on his right hand on Sunday and a small fracture was discovered,” Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. “Our doctors believe surgery is the best route to take with the injury. Surgery will be done Tuesday morning in Cleveland by Dr. Tom Graham. Chris will be able to return to play in three to four weeks."
Three to four weeks? That means he likely won’t be ready to return in time for the Flyers season finale on April 9 against the Islanders and he could miss the start of the playoffs.
Pronger also missed more than a month of time earlier this season with a foot injury.
The Flyers could desperately use Pronger. They have struggled mightily with closing out opponents in recent weeks -- an issue that became magnified after the Flyers blew a 3-0 third-period lead against the Thrashers on Saturday night.
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