The Flyers have finally revealed the extent of Chris Pronger's foot injury and the news is not good. He has a broken first metatarsal in his right foot which will require surgery. He is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. The surgery is scheduled for today at 1pm.
Sam Carchidi of the Inquirer estimates that the six time all star will miss anywhere between 11 to 17 games and could be due back right around the time of the NHL all star game at the end of January. No doubt Pronger's loss is a major, but if there was ever a time and place for the Flyers to absorb a big injury it would be to a defense-man at this point in the season. The team does have blue line depth. As Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski tweeted, "if there's one position where the Flyers can take a hit like that, it's on D."
Word is that Andrej Meszaros will replace Pronger as Matt Carle's partner on the Flyers' top defensive pairing.
The Flyers, who are currently holders of the NHL's best record, would seem more than capable of weathering through the next month or so without Pronger. When he does get back he'll be healthy, rested and ready for the stretch run.