Updates on Pronger, Jagr, Bryz et al

The Flyers cleared out their lockers in Voorhees on Thursday, and there were many newsy items that were learned.

Here are some of them:

** Jaromir Jagr was given several chances to say he wanted to return to the Flyers. He did not bite. It appears he will test the FA market.

** GM Paul Holmgren expects to re-sign defenseman Matt Carle, a potential free agent, at a below-market price.

** Ilya Bryzgalov, with a year of playing in Philly behind him, will be a much better goalie next season, Holmgren said.   In a good-natured tone, Holmgren said Bryzgalov's duties weren't performing for "Comedy Central" but stopping the puck.

** Holmgren said Chris Pronger is "the same," meaning he still has concussion symptoms. The GM added he was a "glass half-full" guy and still believed Pronger would play next season. Out of respect to Pronger, he will not even think about naming a new captain (Claude Giroux appears to be the leading candidate) at this point.

** Holmgren said he would have injury updates later tonight. Speculation is that Kimmo Timonen, Nick Grossmann and JVR will need surgery.

** By the GM's estimate, the cap will rise from $64.3 million to around $69 million.

** Holmgren said he hopes Mike Richards and Jeff Carter win the Cup with the Kings, but that he was happy with the deals and would "do them again."

** Timonen, 37, will return next year, and perhaps beyond next season, Holmgren said.

** Coach Peter Laviolette said center Sean Couturier, coming off an impressive rookie year, could get more playing time next season and work his way onto a power-play unit.