Sean Couturier is indeed feeling great, and it’s translating to the ice in a big way. Just three games into the 2025-26 season, the Captain had a monster four-point night (2G, 2A) in Monday’s 5-2 home-opening win over the Florida Panthers, snapping a 0-1-1 start and reminding everyone of his Selke-winning form.
Coming off back surgeries that sidelined him for nearly two full seasons, he told reporters postgame: “I feel great. I feel better than pre-surgery, honestly.”
Couturier elaborated, “There were some mornings, in the summers, where I go to workout and I feel like a 60 or 70-year-old man trying to put my socks on.”
His second goal—a breakaway tip-in off a slick Trevor Zegras pass—was pure vintage Coots, full of speed and finish.
New coach Rick Tocchet praised the 32-year-old’s offseason prep: “He came into camp in really good condition. It was nice of him to come in real good shape for us.”
Tocchet reiterated, “He plays a 200-foot game. He cares and he’s a good human being,. You root for guys like that. They are hard to find, two-way hockey players like that.”
Teammate Travis Sanheim, who’s seen it all since 2017, added that Couturier looked like “a lot of the games I saw before he got hurt—that’s a good thing for us.”
Even goalie Dan Vladar chimed in: “Hopefully he’s going to be in the rafters one day. Unbelievable Captain and a true leader.”
With the Flyers facing Winnipeg on Thursday, this surge couldn’t come at a better time. If Couturier keeps this up, that wildcard push suddenly feels a lot more real.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
About Author
