There have been far too many times that the Flyers -- and many other teams -- have put out injury updates about a player that are quickly proven wrong. For a recent example, think of how rapidly the public prognosis for Michael Leighton's back injury changed during the preseason. He went from needing a few days off, to being out 2-4 weeks to needing back surgery. The whole situation made it look like Paul Holmgren either didn't know what he was talking about or he was putting out misinformation to keep the media and fans appeased until the team had a second medical opinion on the severity of Leighton's injury.

I much prefer the way the team is handling the current Chris Pronger foot injury. They aren't saying a word publicly until after he visits a specialist today. Yesterday, he underwent an x-ray and a CT scan on his right foot. It's better to have all the facts and give a realistic timetable for the player's recovery than to speak too soon and then backtrack. I realize there's a rush -- and impatience for -- information in this day and age, especially where sports are concerned. But I'd rather wait and get the full story rather than go on incomplete details that may lead to incorrect conclusions being drawn.

On the flip side, the whole "upper body/lower body" injury designation is a joke. The actual nature of the injury is almost always found out within a day or two despite attempts to suppress the information. In Pronger's case, the fact that it was a foot problem (and not a reinjury of his knee) was known publicly almost immediately after the end of the game.

So why even bother with the vague report in the first place? Just say he took a puck off the foot, won't return and will be re-evaluated in a day or two to come.

*****

In today's Daily Drop at Versus.com, I give my thoughts on the trapezoid rule. In last night's Rangers-Coyotes game, a delay-of-game penalty on Phoenix goalie Jason LaBarbera for playing the puck outside the trapezoid proved to be a momentum changer in the Rangers' comeback victory.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Lightning Strike Takes Down Jets

» Practice Day, Ersson, Jay Greenberg, A Personal Note

» Flyers Gameday: Game 12 vs. BOS

» Wrap: Brink Lifts Flyers over Blues, 2-1

» Game 11 Preview: Flyers vs. STL