Yes, he comes in against the Philadelphia Flyers‘ salary cap at nearly $8 million for the next 4 seasons, but Sean Couturier will be on the team for the foreseeable future, regardless of how ineffective his offense has become since returning from successive back surgeries.
Couturier was arguably one of the best two-way forwards in the game between 2017-18 to 2021-22 with 110 goals and 269 points in 305 games, which included back-to-back 30+ goal seasons and a Selke Trophy.
During that period, many believed he was the most important player on the team, even over Claude Giroux. However, the tune has changed rapidly, and a big part of that is because of his consecutive injury riddled seasons that has him looking like a shell of his former self.
Couturier was forced out of the 2021-22 season in December with what was a day-to-day injury, which quickly became week-to-week, and then went from indefinite to seeing him out for season.
He seemingly corrected the injury with surgery but he reaggravated the issue and ultimately missed out on the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign.
Upon his return, many were skeptical that the long-time veteran could come back and play meaningful hockey, especially after successive surgeries on the same issue in his back.
Almost miraculously, he looked no worse for wear during the first 41 games of the 2023-24 season, notching 10 goals and 30 points, before falling off rapidly.
Amid off-ice issues with John Tortorella, Couturier scored 1 goal and 8 points in the final 33 games, as the Flyers failed to qualify for the playoffs. He ended the year with 11 goals and 38 points in 74 games with a minus-10 rating but improved slightly over the next calendar year with 15 goals and 45 points with a plus-1 rating.
This season has been more of the same with 10 goals and 32 points in 74 contests. While that isn’t necessarily ideal for a once-30-goal scorer, captain of the team, and earner of nearly $8 million a season, but it’s the reality of the situation.
Couturier has fought his way back from injury and heavy criticism, and while we might never see him notch 60 points again, he can adapt to newfound roles, one of which he has done over the last several weeks – and successfully as well.
Couturier has formed a very efficient 4th line with Luke Glendening and either Carl Grundström or Garnet Hathaway. Over the last month, we have seen a more rejuvenated Couturier, who has also shown a proclivity for physical play, while remaining a fantastic faceoff man, penalty killer, and defensive forward.
Fortunately for both parties, the salary cap is going to rise exponentially over the next coming seasons, and Couturier’s once-albatross contract, won’t look half as bad. Yes, he will be counting against the cap at $7.75 million, but the cap is expected to go up to $105 million next season, followed by a projected $113.5 million, and $123 million.
It’s not ideal on paper, however it’s the best of a bad situation. Couturier is still responsible and can be counted on, but in a completely different role than he had been playing in since his return.
The Flyers can focus on Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, and Noah Cates to centre their top-9 with offense, allowing Couturier to focus on the other aspects of the game that the Flyers generally struggle with like face-offs and penalty killing.
Considering their lack of depth at the centre position, and Glendening likely not being extended beyond this season, it’s an opportunity for Couturier to rebrand his game and help the Flyers in other areas.
However, if he can remain a productive bottom-6 forward, there’s almost no reason to be upset about the player or the contract.
There’s a faction that wouldn’t mind buying him out, but with the Flyers projected to have just under $40 million in cap for this upcoming off-season, it wouldn’t make all that much sense. The buyout penalty would be far more detrimental than keeping him stationed in the bottom-6.
If the Flyers can find a way to hold onto their playoff spot over the final 2 weeks of the season, look for Couturier to continue helping through his newfound role. As one of the few Flyers with playoff experience, the captain will be counted on down the stretch.
