Photo Credit: Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
After undergoing his first full practice at Flyers morning skate in mid-March it was was the first time in some time that Sean Couturier was on the ice with his teammates. Couturier was wearing a yellow no-contact practice jersey, he felt pretty good afterwards, “The goal ever since I have gotten surgery was to come back this year,” Couturier said following that morning skate in mid-march. “Here we are getting closer, maybe get a practice in by the end of the week, and go from there.”
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A 30-year-old standout in Sean Couturier has proved to the entire league that he’s a force to be reckoned with, when healthy. That’s just it when healthy as he hasn’t suited up in the game since December 18, 2021, against the Ottawa Senators. That’s 469 days since he last played an organized hockey game. Coots is the heart and soul of this young Flyers team, and without his services it really depletes this team down the middle. There was no doubt he was the MVP of the team in 2019-20, and it might be because is no stranger to playing through pain.
“I’m pushing as hard as I can here. I’m trying get back this year, and get some games in.” – Sean Couturier said on 3-14-2023
Unfortunately, John Tortorella said today at morning skate that Couturier will not play this season, and it was a decision that the medical staff, Interim GM Danny Briere, and he made collectively with Couturier. The first year Flyers coach does understand why Couturier would have liked to get into some games this season.
“Coots is aggravated and I love it. This is what makes him to get ready for the strenuous camp. This is different from TK. He (Coots) didn’t have a camp, he’s not up to speed.” – John Tortorella at morning skate, while announcing Couturier would not return this season, as Coots would ja e liked to
Couturier played through a torn in MCL in games five and six versus the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018 playoffs, and he mustered four goals and two assists in those aforementioned games. Unfortunately, he had back revisionary surgery on October 27, 2022 in Dallas, Texas, and has been out ever since technically December 18, 2021 (February/March return):
“I want to get the feel of the game, and knowing going into the Summer getting back to the level of where I need to be, and not just rehabbing.” – Sean Couturier said as the main reason he wants to return this season
The dark days of rehab, and not knowing what was coming tomorrow seem to be behind Couturier for once. For once, he was smiling and was happy. He takes nothing for granted, anymore, and he did admit at times sometimes people take stuff for granted so this adversity kind of puts it in perspective.
Timeline of last injury
Coots missed a large part of the 2021-22 season (December 18, 2021 when he got hurt and last played), which turned out to be a season ending injury. He underwent successful back surgery and wound up missing the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign. Couturier was sidelined from December 18, 2021, and has yet to play a meaningful hockey game since. It was labeled as an ‘Upper-body” injury by the Flyers, but Couturier ended up having surgery to not further delay his possible return.
Accountability is a missing element from Couturier on and off the ice. This was a strong word that was used for the Flyers before the 2022-23 season began. Couturier is no stranger to holding himself accountable, and that rubs off on his teammates, as well.
Couturier plays in all situations and does them well. The Flyers closed the first month of the season out with a 5-2-1 record, but most knew this wasn’t sustainable without the services of Couturier and Cam Atkinson for an extended period of time. Let’s hope Couturier comes back healthy and ready to go at training camp. It ust won’t be this season unfortunately, and one has to feel for Coots.
