The injuries to all of the key players caused the Flyers to lose.
VOORHEES, New Jersey Right on cue, to serve as a distraction from the Flyers’ upcoming rebuilding project, Sean Couturier has been spotted skating stealthily.
The finest player on the Flyers, a two-way center who is thirty years old, hasn’t played since December 18, 2021, because of a back problem that required two difficult surgeries. Although the Flyers have been cautious to avoid making any promises regarding a return to in-game action, Couturier’s recent actions have inspired some optimism.
Regarding Couturier, general manager Chuck Fletcher stated on Tuesday, “Yeah, it’s been going really well.” He’s ice skating. He shot a lot of pucks while skating today. He had a respectable appearance.
It’s essentially the same process Couturier went through in the latter part of last season, give or take a workout—not that it was sufficient to allow a return. Although there were reports of further progress during the summer, Couturier would need a second operation by October. Nevertheless, there is a slim chance the well-liked Couturier could return to competition before the season is out.
Fletcher stated, “Off the ice, he is ramping up his rehab.” Is he able to play this year with enough runway? I’m not sure. My back feels fantastic. He’s lost a great deal of time. Can we use the remaining time to get him in hockey shape? I’m not certain. However, we’re happy with his development and his mental state.
“I believe he is eager to skate and participate more. He’s been through a really long process, so I believe that he’s enjoying it more now and is in a good mood.
On Tuesday, Couturier was not spotted in the locker room. NHL general managers typically handle all injury correspondence.
Couturier is unlikely to play again this season given that Fletcher had recently made official the Flyers’ intentions to sell before the Friday trade deadline and to retool with younger players. This is especially true given that John Tortorella has already acknowledged that his team will not make the playoffs. However, Couturier has appeared in the postseason five times and was the recipient of the Frank Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward as recently as 2019.
His availability would be important in 2023–2024, when the Flyers look to rebuild.
“We sincerely hope he can return and participate,” Fletcher stated. “I believe this has shown us that many things are beyond your control. However, I believe the medical staff is optimistic that we can restore his health, after which there will be a small adjustment. However, he is a competitive and intelligent player, and we sincerely hope he can return to his previous level.
• •
Tortorella does not anticipate that Travis Konecny’s upper body injury will recover soon; hence, he is still listed as injured. Fletcher, nevertheless, does not think Konecny will be out for the season.
“At this moment, I don’t think so,” he stated. “He might be. I am aware that throughout the following two to three weeks, he will communicate with the doctors here. He felt fairly fine after riding his bike today. I believe he is hoping to return, but we’ll have to wait and see if that is practical.
• •
Any requests to relocate seasoned players before Friday are welcome at Fletcher’s office. James van Riemsdyk claims he has put his phone in airplane mode to avoid being bothered by trade rumors, not that he is planning to attend or anything.
On the last year of a $35,000,000 contract that spans five years, van Riemsdyk is seen as a possible value addition as an unrestricted free agent that might be rented to a rival team.
