When the Philadelphia Flyers drafted Sean Couturier, the organization had high hopes that the talented forward would produce nothing less than 20 goals per season. The feat did not seem difficult for Couturier, as the 6-foot-3 centerman had posted 96 points in consecutive seasons of junior hockey at Drummondville.
However, now entering his fifth season with the Flyers, Couturier has yet to score 20 goals and posted just 39 points last season, tying his career high. Adjustment was part of the problem in his lack of scoring. The organization threw him into a shutdown center position from the beginning. Despite pleas to progress his offensive game and take on the role of a future Selke Trophy winner, Couturier’s best goal output was 15, which was two years ago.
There is hope for a 20-goal season this year, with the addition of rookie forward Travis Konecny, who is working the left side on Couturier’s line with Jakub Voracek on the right. With speedy line mates who are offensively gifted themselves, he has a chance to reach the mark the Flyers have been waiting to see.
“It has some of that effect to that line. I saw a development of it last year in terms of the purpose Coots (Couturier) is playing with,” Hakstol told reporters in a post-game interview. “I thought his game on Saturday in Boston had that purpose. A real two-way purpose, but a hunger there offensively.
“There seems to be a good fit and a little bit of chemistry that’s developing between the three of them. There were a couple quick transitional plays that Coots was doing his job down low in our zone and initiating a quick transitional play with speed on the wings.”
Couturier has a sense of offensive purpose now, playing with two guys who are his equal or better in terms of speed and skill. “Every day we’re kind of getting better,” Couturier told reporters. “T.K. (Konecny) never played left wing before and it’s an adjustment for him. Every day he is getting more comfortable. Last game we looked good out there as a line.”
When asked about his role, Konecny downplayed it modestly. “I’m still at a point where I have to prove myself,” he said. “I know [Couturier] can do it… Just practicing with him, I can see it. Good defense always leads to good offense – That’s the best way to describe him. He has a scoring touch around the net,” Konecny told reporters.
Couturier is impressed with Konecny, who scored 101 points last season with two different clubs in the OHL. “It’s way he plays,” Couturier said, when asked what makes the rookie special. “He goes to those dirty areas. He is not a big guy, but he’s not afraid to go to those areas, get dirty and make plays.”
Couturier is fully recovered from the ankle sprain he suffered in the second half of last season, as well as the devastating AC sprain in his left shoulder that took him out of the playoffs in Game 1 against Washington last spring. He is eager to make up for the lost time.
“Last year, I took a step forward,” he said to reporters after an exhibition game. “Injuries kind of slowed me down a bit. I would have been on pace for a career high in everything. This year, I want to keep going, keep pushing the pace. I am playing with two skilled guys.”
Couturier admits to reporters that he is still compelled to sacrifice offense, in order to shut down the opposing team’s best forward. Patience is key. “I have to be patient; I can’t force things,” Couturier said. “The way I play and who I play against, if I force too much, it can cost the team. I am willing to sacrifice points to help the team.
“But I want more points than the past few years… But let’s not get too far
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