Sean Couturier takes another jab at Flyers’ Former Head Coach John Tortorella

Flyers Captain Sean Couturier, fresh off a tumultuous 2024-25 season under Head Coach John Tortorella, appears to have taken a not-so-subtle dig at his former boss during the team’s first training camp practice on September 18, 2025.

With Rick Tocchet now at the helm after Tortorella’s firing in April, the atmosphere in Philly has shifted dramatically—and Couturier isn’t holding back on highlighting the contrast. After Day 1 of camp, where the Flyers dove straight into systems work and on-ice drills, Couturier quipped to reporters:

“Day one, we’re actually getting into some systems and playing hockey. So it’s different than using a rope and skating laps,” Couturier said.

This was a clear reference to Tortorella’s infamous “old-school” conditioning methods, which often emphasized endurance drills like rope-skipping and endless laps over structured play. Those sessions were a hallmark (and point of frustration) during Tortorella’s two-year tenure, especially as the Flyers missed the playoffs both seasons.

Couturier’s remark drew chuckles from the media but underscored the strained dynamic he endured—being benched as a healthy scratch twice in March 2024 despite his leadership role, and feeling “pushed aside” in exit interviews.

Not Just Couturier

Teammate Cam York joins In with Couturier. Defenseman Cam York, who also clashed with Tortorella’s rigid style, piled on during the same session:

“It’s nice to actually touch a puck on Day 1.” – Cam York said on day 1 of Training Camp in 2025

York’s comment echoed the broader sentiment in the Flyers’ locker room: relief at Tocchet’s more modern, puck-focused approach. Both players’ jabs come amid high expectations for a rebound season, with Couturier (32) eyeing a return to Selke Trophy form after posting 45 points in 79 games last year despite inconsistent ice time.Context: A Rocky History

• The Fallout: Tortorella’s relationship with Couturier soured publicly in 2024, with the coach benching the captain without much explanation. Couturier later admitted in April 2025 interviews that communication had broken down, though he took “part of the blame” for not adapting faster.
• The Firing: Tortorella was let go on March 23, 2025, after a 6-4 win over Montreal (where Couturier scored twice), amid a six-game skid and fan unrest.
• New Era: Tocchet, hired in the offseason, has already built rapport with Couturier— the Captain noted having “more conversations in three months than in two years” with Tortorella. This buy-in is crucial as Philly integrates rookies like Matvei Michkov and aims for the Atlantic Division.

Why It Matters

These digs aren’t just pettiness; they’re a signal of renewed energy. Couturier, a two-time Selke winner (2015, 2020), thrived under balanced coaches like Alain Vigneault. If Tocchet unlocks his two-way game (projected 17-18 minutes/night on a top-six line), it could stabilize the Flyers’ rebuild.

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That was last week, what happened this week with a jab at Torts?

Sean Couturier’s rocky relationship with former Head Coach Tortorella fell onto September 25, 2025, “It was almost like the last couple years, guys were scared to make plays and get pulled off the Power Play. It’s not, the mentality or philosophy you want to have going into a Power Play and trying to score a goal, when you are scared to make plays,” Couturier said of the Power Play last year.

Ice Time Drama: Couturier’s average time on ice dropped to under 18 minutes per game in his final two seasons with Philly, including stints on the fourth line and healthy scratches in March 2024—unprecedented for a veteran leader.

Communication Breakdowns: In exit interviews after the 2023-24 season, Couturier admitted feeling “pushed aside,” saying he received the same vague feedback as the media (“need to see more”) without private discussions. Tortorella fired back, calling it “a bunch of drama” and insisting he’d communicated adequately, but Couturier disagreed publicly.

Power Play Struggles: This ties directly to the “jab.” Tortorella’s drills left little room for special teams refinement, contributing to Philly’s league-worst power play efficiency. In a September 25, 2025, podcast, Couturier addressed the unit’s ongoing issues head-on, emphasizing the need for more structured practice under Tocchet—implicitly shading Torts’ priorities.

Couturier, the Flyers’ captain, is clearly motivated to make a strong impression in the 2025-26 NHL season, especially after his pointed comments about the team’s new direction under coach Rick Tocchet. His recent jab at former coach John Tortorella—criticizing the old-school conditioning drills like rope-skipping and endless laps—signals a renewed focus on showcasing his skills in a system that prioritizes puck work and special teams.

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