Hawks stunned about Pronger news
The stunning news that Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger will miss the rest of the regular season and playoffs with severe concussion symptoms was felt inside the Blackhawks’ dressing room.
The Hockey News reported Friday that Pronger’s injury could be career threatening.
“He’s a great player and a great defenseman,” said Hawks center Dave Bolland, who missed more than a month last season with a concussion. “He’s one of those faces of the NHL and to see him go down with a concussion is bad to see. He’s one of those guys around the league that guys look up to and he’s been around this league for a while now, so seeing that happen isn’t great.”
Pronger is the latest NHL star to be sidelined by a concussion, joining Sidney Crosby, the game’s best player, Claude Giroux, the league’s leading scorer, Milan Michalek, Jeff Skinner, Marc Staal, Kris Letang and Marc Savard.
“It’s tough to see that,” Bolland said.
“You never want to see that around the league, so many guys out. That’s something the NHL and the NHLPA may have to look at — into some of these situations.”
But Crosby and Giroux were hurt in collisions with their own teammate.
“The pace of the game is quick, the size of the guys, pucks, bodies, intensity, collisions with your own team are sometimes worse than any type of collisions,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Lots of variables lead into it, but the league is doing what they have to do and they intensified player safety this year.”
Carcillo sits out:Speaking of concussions, the Hawks aren#146;t saying Daniel Carcillo has one, but he missed Friday#146;s game against Anaheim with an upper body injury suffered against Minnesota.Carcillo took a forearm to the head from the Wild#146;s Kyle Brodziak late in the third period of that game. He also fought Brad Staubitz and took several good punches.#147;We said the other day we don#146;t think it#146;s serious and we#146;ll leave it at that,#148; Joel Quenneville said. #147;That#146;s where we#146;re at with it.#148;Rookie Ben Smith, recalled from Rockford on Thursday, took Carcillo#146;s spot in the lineup on the fourth line with Jamal Mayers and Andrew Brunette.Quenneville reunited Bryan Bickell with Dave Bolland and Michael Frolik on the third line.Passing grade:For the most part, Joel Quenneville likes what he has been getting from Viktor Stalberg on the first line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.#147;I think he#146;s way more consistent than he#146;s been in the past,#148; Quenneville said. #147;There#146;s a lot of responsibility playing on that line against top guys and that#146;s still where there#146;s room for improvement, but I still think he is improving.#148;