The concussion injury has claimed its next victim. It was announced by Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren that their top defensive player Chris Pronger will be out for the rest of the season and playoffs due to severe post-concussion syndrome. This announcement comes after Pronger had knee surgery last month.
Pronger, who has only played 13 games this season, is coming off of a 2010-2011 campaign where he was limited to 50 games due to broken bones. At 37 years of age, one has to wonder if this concussion will sideline Pronger for good. Although despite his age, he has proven to be a very productive player for the Flyers, notching 1 goal and 11 assists in those 13 games. The contract that he signed in 2009 has him with the team until after the 2016-2017 season with an annual cap hit of $4.92M per.
Pronger is not the only one suffering a concussion. Fellow teammate and NHL points leader, Claude Giroux, is also out indefinitely. Holmgren has not ruled Giroux out for the season as the Flyers are following a wait and see protocol. A quick look around the league will allow you to see a long list of players who have suffered from concussions or concussion like symptoms:
- Brayden Schenn – Flyers
- Milan Michalek – Senators
- Zbynek Michalek – Penguins
- Sidney Crosby – Penguins
- Kris Letang – Penguins
- Marc Staal – Rangers
- Jeff Skinner – Hurricanes
- Joni Pitkanen – Hurricanes
- Marcel Goc – Panthers
- Mike Richards – Kings
- Peter Mueller – Avalanche
- Nino Niederreiter – Islanders
- Brian Rolston – Islanders
- Nathan Gerbe – Sabres
- Marek Zidlicky – Wild
- Andy McDonald – Blues
- Jay Beagle – Capitals
As this continues to grow, the league has to wonder if a change to the rulebooks is in the works. If they decide to keep the rules the same, equipment companies could be pressured into completely redesign the helmets the players use. Bolstering the headgear could eliminate some of the issues at hand. Either way, this growing injury list will be a hot button topic in the offseason and may even force a few moves regarding CBA negotiations.
