Pronger: We just need to have fun again

by Travis Hughes on Dec 22, 2009 5:52 PM EST in Philadelphia Flyers Commentary

Chris Pronger spoke with the media on a conference call today, and while most of the conversation focused on the upcoming Winter Classic, Pronger also spoke about how the team needs to just get back to the basics and start having fun in order to get back on the winning side of things. He said that this current road trip, accompanied by the Winter Classic on the 1st, is a perfect opportunity to do just that.

"I think when you're struggling like we have, it's nice to get back on the road and kind of get away from everything and try to bond on the road and really find ourselves, find our identity again," Pronger said. "I think we've lost it through this last little stretch. Going on the road, getting together, having team dinners and being around the guys and getting the group together is always a good way to kind of get over what ails you, and... this six game stretch here is very important to our hockey team."

Pronger was asked about the Winter Classic, and how the event can be used by the Flyers as a tool to make the game fun again.

"It is the perfect setting to be honest with you. What better way to get back to your roots and your childhood than playing in an outdoor game and playing in front of, I don't know, 35,000 people and enjoying yourself out in nature and the elements. It certainly should be a lot of fun. ... I'm hoping that the fun will already be back in our game before the 1st, but it would definitely be a step ahead and a step in the right direction as well."

As fans, we've been sitting here analyzing the problems with this team for weeks now, but could it really be something as simple as just going out there and playing hockey, not squeezing your stick too hard, and just letting the game come to you? Pronger seems to think so, and when he was asked about the changes Peter Laviolette has put in place, he said it doesn't really make a difference.

"We can talk about all the X's and O's and things like that, which obviously [Laviolette has] implemented his own systems and they're a little bit different, but at the end of the day, it's hockey. We've all played this game for a long time, and you've got to go out there and play the game and have fun and work for one another and work for the guy sitting next to you."

Is it that simple (and don't confuse simple with easy)? Can this time on the road be what cures that Flyers? At the very least, Pronger believes in the possibility.

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Who knows? Maybe playing outdoors and returning to the game’s roots can set the team back on track again. I’d prefer this wasn’t the case of course, but my interests lay elsewhere. But to keep with Winter Classic tradition, one of the two teams has to make it to the SCF. So who’s it going to be?

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by FrankD on Dec 22, 2009 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Ty Conklin isn’t on either team. Tradition is out the window.

Unless Michael Leighton gets hurt tomorrow, of course…

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by Travis Hughes on Dec 22, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

It aint a Winter Classic without Conklin.

Speaking of, I did read a rumor/suggestion today that the Flyers should get him. Has this been discussed around these parts?

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by FrankD on Dec 22, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

If Boucher’s out long term I’d be fine with it, but it looks like he’ll be fine. Emery will be back soon enough, at this point.

Still, I would’ve loved to get him over Leighton just for Winter Classic nostalgia value.

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by Travis Hughes on Dec 22, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

I mentioned a similar idea yesterday:

The Flyers need to abandon this ridiculous system that Laviolette is teaching and strip everything down to its simplest roots. Let them stop thinking about where they should be and allow natural instincts to take over.

Then, after a few games, begin to build it back up again.

by MarioD on Dec 22, 2009 6:22 PM EST reply actions

It makes sense.

I’ve believed this entire time that most of the struggles are mental, and if that’s the case, you just need to simplify things. I know what it’s like to be on the ice and try to do too much, and that’s what it looks like a lot of these guys are doing.

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by Travis Hughes on Dec 22, 2009 10:37 PM EST up reply actions

That does not make his system of Hockey ridiculous. The players were in this rut way before Laviolette was even here.

But sure, back to basics may help. But then again, so will moving their feet.

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by Mike B on D on Dec 23, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think the system is ridiculous, but I think the timing in trying to implement it is. I don’t know if that makes sense.

I was thinking today about how he said it took Carolina a long time to actually learn his system, but by the last 20 games of his first year there, they had it down pat and began to play well. The following season, they won the Cup.

That tells me his system requires a lot of attention, discipline, and study. That’s all well and good, but when you’re playing like the Flyers are now, you just need to worry about getting the little things right. If they can get better at the small stuff, then hopefully they can execute the details of his system. We watch and wait.

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by mikefive on Dec 22, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions

absolutely. There are only a couple of guys on this team right now playing NHL level hockey. Seeings most of them are not on AHL contracts, it’s a pretty sad state of affairs. But we all know they didn’t get multi-million contracts by being this terrible, so it’s time to let these guys get back to playing hockey like they can, get some wins and then you have something to build on.

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by HockeyOutsiders on Dec 23, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe they can all go fishing and sailing again, it did wonders for the team in October.

by MJDII on Dec 22, 2009 8:42 PM EST reply actions

Why don’t they just give Pronger the C already since he takes more responsibility and acts more like a captain than our current one does? I’m sorry, but Richards’ whole attitude is really wearing on my last nerve. How can you say after all this that he doesn’t think we’ve hit rock bottom yet? WTF??? If that’s his attitude then give it up and get the F out of town. Philly wants people who play hard and WANT to win, not whiny pampered guys who show up like they’re entitled to the ECF because of their contract. Just give Pronger the C and let him whip these lazy pathetic players into game form or trade them and get anybody who WANTS to win in our colors, win or lose as long as they play like they care. I’m sick of the Richards & Stevens attitude of “there’s always tomorrow” and “I see good things” and “we can’t win every game” and “we’ve got games in hand” and on and on. That is not Flyers hockey.

by Kanayd on Dec 22, 2009 9:49 PM EST reply actions

I totally agree. This would let Ritchie just play the game and let Pronger lead. Maybe it would get the team going.

by rvd420pete on Dec 23, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

I agree as well, though it doesn’t have to be Pronger. I’ve never been a fan of players under 25 Captaining teams. They need to learn from the Vets for a few years before they are ready. I think it would really help Richards (though taking it away may hurt him short term) focus on the game and learn the leadership role as he progresses.

by weredun4 on Dec 23, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Pronger

Pronger in – Richards out. Richards is a huge disappointment as captain. The Flyers pushed him as the next Bobby Clarke when he came up…he’s a looooong way from that comparison.

Pronger all the way with the “C”.

by golds1 on Dec 25, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

Everybody have fun tonight; everybody Wang Chung tonight.

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by mikefive on Dec 22, 2009 11:49 PM EST reply actions

Time for them to rediscover schoolyard puck.

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by Ben Rothenberg on Dec 23, 2009 3:26 AM EST reply actions

But Ben, our jokes aren’t funny!

I enjoyed it, thoroughly

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by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 6:58 AM EST up reply actions

I actually dont think giving pronger the C would do much, i think that he wears an A and thats enough, when you get down to it this is Richies team, if it wasnt we wouldn’t have signed him for so many years, I think that the players respect Richie and he sticks up for them on the ice, hes always in there to stick up for someone who gets messed up on the ice, I agree Pronger could be a great leader, but i think that stripping Richie of the C would make things worse because it would be stripping away the confidence that we have instilled on him, if Pronger wants to lead he can lead alongside Richie with the A

by sjuhawks42 on Dec 23, 2009 1:01 PM EST reply actions