Photo Credit: Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
John Tortorella is happy that Sean Couturier is healthy and has worked his way back into the lineup. Believe it or not he has a soft spot for him, given all of his injury history, “I’m excited for him. I’m really happy, he put in all the work and now it’s all coming together,” Tortorella said.
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“I feel great. I feel like I’ve pretty much done a full offseason of training already and I’m starting again. I’m already excited for camp, and obviously it’s a big summer of training for me. I’m going to work extremely hard to get back to the pace of the game. Just looking forward to next year.” – Sean Couturier said in April
Couturier plays in all situations and does them well, and is averaging 20:18 of ice time this season. “I feel I have a lot to prove coming into next year. New coach, a lot of new teammates that I got to know over the last year and a half, but a lot of these guys I haven’t even played with,” Couturier said. “Whatever the captain situation is, or leadership group is, I’m still going to be the player and the guy I am and try to lead by example and do the right things all the time. So, doesn’t really change much for me.”
A veteran in Couturier has registered one assist, and is a plus 3 in two games played for the Flyers this season. In addition, he led the team in ice time this past Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. This was supposed to be a big season for Couturier, but it’s a shame he is “Banged up”, per Tortorella. The home opener is now in doubt for tomorrow. It’s very interesting that Tortorella said he’s “Banged up” as opposed to saying he was absent from practice today with a maintenance day. To be honest, I thought both Couturier and Cam Atkinson would have a lot of maintenance days, which is an excused absence from on-ice activities at practice.
Unfortunately, Tortorella would not elaborate on Couturier’s availability, nor anything in regards to the number one center. This has to be frustrating for all parties involved, but at least it’s not related to his back. Stay tuned for further information as it comes out.
