Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff, Getty Images
Before the start of this season there was a level of uncertainty surrounding Philadelphia Flyers long time centerman Sean Couturier. This mainly concerned what to expect on the ice from a performance perspective.
With the former Selke winner not having played a game since December, 18th 2021, the hesitancy from many on what Couturier’s impact could be this season was well warranted. After all, the forward was making his return coming off two back surgeries in 2022 (his first in February and his most recent on October 27, 2022) that kept him sidelined for the entirety of last season.
As a result, it was hard to know exactly how these surgeries may have affected Couturier’s skating ability and his style of play. This resulted in several projections regarding what Couturier could accomplish this season in the Flyers lineup. There were many that ruled him out from being the asset he was prior to the injury. Despite that, the veteran forward wanted to use the doubts as a motivating factor heading into the 2023-24 campaign.
Couturier stated during training camp, “They have their reasons to question or doubt, but I know what I’m capable of, the kind of person I am, and the character that I have. I want to prove that I’m able to be the player I was, if not better, so that’s always a little extra motivation when you hear some doubters.”
Now that eight games have gone by in the early going of the regular season there’s clarity in relation to Couturier’s effectiveness on the ice for the Flyers in several different facets. Obviously there has been rust to shake off for the center considering the time he missed. But impressively enough Couturier looks like the same player on the ice prior to the two back surgeries.
Not only has Couturier scored 2 goals and 5 assists for a total of 7 points in 8 games. He’s shown his significance from a defensive standpoint as well. The little habits of his game such as body positioning, back-checking, stick positioning, and faceoff acumen have all been positives.
A particular play this season highlighting Couturier’s strong defensive instincts was one where he stripped Connor McDavid of the puck on a penalty-kill with his stick positioning. This allowed Flyers defenseman Sean Walker to rush up the ice and eventually score a shorthanded goal.
The specific play above is certainly one that cements how impactful Couturier’s defensive instincts and penalty-killing ability are for the Flyers.
Underlying Statistics
Another thing to note when analyzing Couturier’s play thus far is the forward’s underlying metrics. Most notably, the veteran’s line has been one of the top trios in the league when looking at expected goals for per sixty minutes, expected goals percentage, and corsi percentage.
Before listing the statistics here’s an explanation of exactly what expected goals for per sixty minutes, expected goals percentage, and corsi percentage are, according to MoneyPuck.com:
“Expected Goals: The chance of an unblocked shot attempt being a goal. For example, a rebound shot in the slot may have a 50% of going in and be worth 0.5 expected goals, while a shot from the blueline while short handed may be worth 0.01 expected goals.” (according to MoneyPuck.com)
“Expected Goal % : The percent of all expected goals the player’s team gets while the player is on the ice compared to the other team. For example, if a player’s team gets 0.6 expected goals and the opposing team gets 0.4 shot attempts while the player is on the ice, the player’s expected goal % is 60%. It does not matter if it’s the player or a teammate taking the shots, as long as the player is on the ice.” (according to MoneyPuck.com)
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“Corsi % : The percent of all shot attempts the player’s team gets while the player is on the ice compared to the other team. For example, if a player’s team gets 6 shot attempts and the opposing team gets 4 shot attempts while the player is on the ice, the player’s Corsi % is 60%.” (according to MoneyPuck.com)
In terms of expected goals percentage the Couturier, Tippett, Atkinson line is 17th in the league amongst all forward lines that have played a minimum of 30 minutes of ice time together. Their expected goals percentage is 63.9 % (as per MoneyPuck.com). Along with that, the trio is ninth in the league in expected goals per sixty minutes with a 4.39 rating (as per MoneyPuck.com).
This demonstrates how effective Couturier and his line-mates have been for the Flyers this season albeit in a short sample size. It’s evident when looking at the high danger scoring opportunities the trio has produced that Couturier appears to be having a considerable impact on the Flyers ability to control play and create scoring chances.
Individually, Couturier has a 55% corsi for rating (according to MoneyPuck.com). This points to the fact that generally the Flyers are controlling the shot attempt battle when taking on the opposition while Couturier is on the ice. What this displays is how critical Couturier can be to the Flyers overall play and attack. Typically when he is on the ice Philadelphia is producing larger volumes of shot attempts than the other team and controlling the puck more often. Two crucial elements to winning hockey games and sustaining offense for extended stretches.
Additionally, Couturier’s corsi for percentage in 2021-22 was 55.2% (as per MoneyPuck.com). In 2020-21, the forward’s corsi for percentage was 59.4% (as per MoneyPuck.com). Lastly, the center’s corsi for percentage in 2019-20 was 56.2% (as per MoneyPuck.com).
Essentially, Couturier’s corsi for percentage upon his return is very reminiscent of the numbers he was putting up for this metric pre-injury. This places even more emphasis on the idea that Couturier is still the same player he was before the two back surgeries. He’s having a similar effect on the Flyers ability to control the shot attempt battles and the puck while he’s on the ice in comparison to the metrics before his injury.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Couturier has proven through the first eight games of this season that he is still a first line center in the NHL. The veteran forward is producing at just below a point per game pace and is a part of one of the most effective lines in the NHL from an expected goals perspective. Not to mention the contributions being made defensively in regards to penalty-killing prowess, winning faceoffs, and defensive zone positioning.
If the 30 year old can continue his current play and stay healthy it’s likely he’ll be in the Selke Trophy conversations once again after this season ends. When healthy, Sean Couturier is one of the most impactful two-way centers in the NHL based on the various ways he can contribute to a team’s success on the ice.
