What a week it’s been for Sean Couturier. It’s been a slow start to the season for him, and one which has only been compounded by some less than optimal usage through these early goings. All of this came to a head when his minutes were cut initially in the Flyers’ final game on the road in Seattle, and when he was officially demoted to the fourth line for last weekend’s home opener against the Canucks — a game with was also Couturier’s 800th in the league.
It was an almost staggering lack of respect shown for a veteran in the league, and this team’s captain, but also a clear indication of the level of frustration — a level also certainly and loudly echoed by portions of the fan base — head coach John Tortorella has had with his play.