Chris Pronger may or may not need surgery to repair what he suspects may be a herniated disk in his back.

He will visit some specialists on Tuesday to canvass some opinions.

Pronger was his usual snarly self today but I sense he wants to avoid a 4th surgery if he can. We all know how it ended for John LeClair.

He had back surgery here in 2000 and was never the same player. Yeah, he played 5 more years but his goal production dropped by half.

The most illuminating part of today concerned Mike Richards and his relationship with coach Peter Laviolette.

The coach admitted the relationship is an on-going process that needs work. This comes at a time when there is widespread rumor that the two weren't talking to each other in the second half.

Laviolette denied that to me tonight when we spoke on the phone. But at his "breakup day" press gathering, he fully admitted he is still getting to know the Flyers captain.

I feel this is the summer when the Flyers need to address whether 1) Richards really wants to be here and is happy; 2) whether the "C" is a burden to him and is the reason for his unhappiness.

At least one Flyer will tell you that Richards is the most "unhappy superstar" in Philly. Given the Flyers have to move salary this summer to get a No. 1 veteran goalie to win with this team before its window closes, I feel every players - Richards included - is now on the table to be dealt.

Here's some stories on CSNPhilly.com:

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