Pronger and Giroux in Heated Discussion

The Inquirer and Daily News both reported that Flyers’ defenseman Chris Pronger and center Claude Giroux were involved in a heated exchange outside the Flyers’ dressing room after Tuesday’s 4-1 vicotry over Edmonton. Giroux had three turnovers in that game and although the Flyers won, they became sloppy after a strong first period, giving up 24 shots and numerous good scoring chances in the second and third periods. Coming on the heels of a four game losing streak, the discussion seems to be part of Pronger’s leadership in calling players out for poor play or lax performance. Several Flyers indicated that the team of late had gotten away from the system, with Mike Richards saying some players were not only not on the same page but not even the same chapter. Jody Shelley indicated that there was some differences in the dressing room that had to be worked out. If part of that is Giroux and other Flyers getting too cute with the puck and committing turnovers, then Pronger’s admonishments should help the situation. This is what you need from a captain and is further evidence that Pronger is the de-facto leader of the team.

Another thought on the losing streak: It started just after Nik Zherdev had a “heart-to-heart” talk with Coach Laviolette and GM Paul Holmgren after being waived for lax play and then reinserted into the lineup. Zherdev had been a turnover machine this season and lax defensively. Was his reinsertion into the lineup a catalyst for other Flyers to become disgruntled by the move and then to let up in their play as well? Interesting that he went back to being a healthy scratch in the midst of the losing streak and, as soon as that happened, the team has had two wins in a row.