BY MIKE BROPHY
sportsnet.ca
Defenceman Chris Pronger will not be in the lineup on Thursday night when the Philadelphia Flyers face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the season opener. It will be the first game played at the new CONSOL Energy Centre in Pittsburgh.
Pronger, who turns 36 on Oct. 10, had knee surgery this past summer and has been skating on his own for more than a week but only joined his teammates for practice for the first time Tuesday.
The 2000 Hart and Norris Trophy winner, who led the Anaheim Ducks to the Stanley Cup in 2006-07, could be back in the lineup soon as he continues to work on building the strength in his leg.
Pronger recorded 10 goals and 45 assists in 82 games last season, his first with the Flyers. He added 18 playoff points (four goals, 14 assists) in leading Philadelphia to the Cup final where the Flyers lost in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Flyers play in St. Louis Saturday.
