Flyers Notes: Pronger is likely out until playoffs

Chris Pronger's progress from a broken right hand is "not as fast as we thought," and the defenseman probably will not play again in the regular season, general manager Paul Holmgren said after Thursday night's 1-0 loss to Atlanta.

Pronger, 36, did not participate in the Flyers' morning skate on Thursday.

Originally, the Flyers had hoped Pronger would play against Buffalo next Friday and the Islanders on April 9, the final two regular-season games.

Holmgren said Pronger "probably pushed it a little bit too quickly in the rehab" and said it was a "minor setback."

The general manager said he expected Pronger to be healthy for the playoffs.

  While Pronger's recovery has gone slowly, winger Jody Shelley is making quicker-than-expected strides from March 24 orbital-bone surgery, and Holmgren said he may play next week.

Reporters on Thursday were given ballots for the NHL awards. No Flyers are expected to be strong candidates, a tribute to the club's balance.

"I think our team has had a really good year, and that's a result of all of the players and all of the parts," coach Peter Laviolette said.

Jeff Carter, who entered Thursday with 35 goals and just 39 penalty minutes, may get consideration for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (gentlemanly conduct combined with outstanding play), but he is considered a long shot. The Flyers have never had a Lady Byng winner.

Sergei Bobrovsky is also considered a long shot to become the first Flyer to ever win the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie. Entering Thursday, Bobrovsky was 28-11-6 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

San Jose's Logan Couture (30 goals, eight game-winners), Carolina's Jeff Skinner (58 points), the Islanders' Michael Grabner (31 goals), and Chicago goalie Corey Crawford (30-16-5, 2.28 GAA, .918 save percentage) are among the leading rookie-of-the-year candidates.

Laviolette campaigned for Bobrovsky before the goalie started against Atlanta.

"Certainly I think you can make a case for Bob, just based on the fact he's gotten the majority of our starts and we're a first-place club," Laviolette said. "His numbers are almost as good as the guy in Chicago."

Defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who missed the third period of Tuesday's win in Pittsburgh because of an apparent hip injury, returned to the lineup Thursday. . . . In a stirring pregame ceremony, former Flyers great Bill Barber, accompanied by his two young grandsons, was honored and given the No. 7 banner that had hung in the Spectrum. A video tribute to Barber was shown before the ceremony. . . . Goalie Brian Boucher (17-9-4, 2.39, .917) is expected to play in New Jersey on Friday. - Sam Carchidi