Former NHL defenseman and Philadelphia Flyers captain Chris Pronger didn’t hold back during a recent appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets, offering a blunt assessment of where the Orange and Black stand in their long-running rebuild and what they’re still missing.
His comments touched on everything from roster construction to player development, with a clear underlying theme: rebuilding the right way takes patience, structure, and the proper foundational pieces.
The Forever Rebuild
Pronger acknowledged what many Flyers fans already feel: the rebuild has dragged on far too long.
He pointed out that Philadelphia has been in some version of a “retool” or “rebuild” for over a decade, creating understandable frustration among the fanbase. According to Pronger, the organization has tried to accelerate the process instead of committing fully to a true teardown and long-term plan.
His message was simple: shortcuts don’t work.
“You’ve got to build it properly,” Pronger said, emphasizing that half-measures only prolong mediocrity.
Why You Can’t Build Around a Winger
One of Pronger’s most direct statements centered on roster construction.
He argued that successful rebuilds start down the middle and on the blue line, not on the wing.
“I don’t know any team that rebuilds with a winger,” Pronger explained, adding that true contenders are built around:
- A legitimate No. 1 center
- A top-pair defenseman
- Elite goaltending
While high-end wingers are valuable, Pronger stressed they are complementary pieces, not cornerstones.
It was a pointed observation considering the Flyers’ excitement surrounding Matvei Michkov.
Thoughts on Michkov’s Development
Pronger also addressed Michkov’s early adjustment to the NHL, noting that the second-year winger arrived at camp out of shape, something Pronger admitted he personally experienced early in his own career.
Rather than criticizing, Pronger emphasized the importance of teaching and development.
He highlighted potential communication issues between Michkov and the coaching staff due to language barriers and cautioned against misinterpreting bench interactions as defiance.
Pronger believes Michkov could see more ice time but stressed that learning the North American game and understanding NHL expectations matter more than forcing production.
Pronger Preached Patience Over Panic
Ultimately, Pronger’s message was about patience.
The Flyers can’t expect one talented winger to instantly solve years of organizational instability. Real progress will come from drafting and developing elite players at premium positions and allowing young talent time to grow.
For a franchise eager to return to contention, Pronger made it clear: rebuilding is uncomfortable, but doing it right is the only path forward.
