The Flyers have early adversity on their plate.
Their first-class center Sean Couturier will be out for at least two weeks with a costochondral separation, that is when one of the ribs of the sternum comes loose.
As of Saturday, the Flyers will play seven games over the next two weeks. The Flyers will have to hope that the winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy 2019-20 only needs the two weeks to recover. The Flyers start 2-0-0 in their shortened 56 game, which they can definitely play in the most competitive division.
Couturier sustained the injury in the Flyers’ 5-2 win over the Penguins Friday night. The 28-year-old was forced to leave the game and did not return after taking a Jared McCann 1:38 hit in action.
A two-week time frame runs until January 30th. The Flyers play the Islanders on January 31 and then the Bruins on February 3.
For the past two seasons, Couturier has won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the club’s most valuable player. He does everything for the Flyers, from big minutes on equal strengths against the best lines of the opposition, as well as on the top units of the club for power play and penalty kills.
Last season, Couturier finished first on the Flyers in equally strong points (46), winning percentage (59.6 percent) and plus-minus (plus-21), second in points (59) and shots (185), tied for second in assist (37), third in goals (22) and fast time on ice (140: 29), fourth time on ice per game (19:50) and tied with fifth in power play points (13).
The fact that Couturier will not be able to return after Friday night’s game tells a bit about the pain of the injury. He is not easily played out or played outside. In the first round of the Stanley Cup play-offs in 2018, Couturier built up six points (four goals, two assists) over Games 5 and 6 playing on a torn MCL. When the Flyers tried to monitor his shoulder rack last season, he took off a bit slyly. Couturier also played Game 7 from their second exit to the Islanders with an MCL sprain. He possesses a quiet, inner toughness.
“He’s an elite player and you realize how good he is when you see him on the field every day and see how he goes,” Kevin Hayes said last year.
Couturier’s injury opens the door for talented 21-year-old center-forward Morgan Frost and will adjust the Flyers in midfield.
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