Couturier (back) has been shut down for the season, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Couturier last played Dec. 18, 2021, having endured two back surgeries since then. Coach John Tortorella said that shutting Couturier down was a decision made by the medical staff, but it wasn't due to a setback. Couturier will try again at training camp in September.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Skates on his own Thursday
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Couturier (back) skated on his own Thursday, Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now reports.
Couturier last played on Dec. 18, 2021 as he has been sidelined for the last 15 months with back woes. He could return near the end of the season and this is his first step back towards that goal. Couturier had back-to-back 76-point seasons in the NHL, starting with the 2017-18 season. He had six goals and 17 points in 29 games last season before he was shut down.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Return this season uncertain
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Couturier (back) could return to the lineup this season, Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now reports.
The Flyers continue to take a cautious approach with Couturier, who has had two back surgeries since he last played. With the team well out of playoff contention, Couturier's return won't be rushed -- he'll have to be fully healthy before he's considered an option to play. The center has been skating and working out in recent weeks with the goal of returning to game action for the first time since Dec. 18, 2021.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: May return in late February
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Couturier (back) might be ready to return in late February or March, Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now reports.
Couturier was initially given a recovery timetable of 3-4 months following back surgery in late October. The Flyers expect him to start skating again soon. Couturier hasn't played yet this season after he was limited to 29 games in 2021-22.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Undergoes back surgery
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Couturier underwent back revision surgery Thursday and is expected to be out 3-4 months, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
This is a big setback for the center, who hasn't played since Dec. 18, 2021 due to back woes. Couturier's scheduled to return at some point in February, barring any more setbacks. He mustered consecutive 76-point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19, but at age 29, Couturier's best years are likely behind him.
Flyers' Sean Couturier: Suffers setback in recovery
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Couturier (back) had started skating but suffered a setback according to coach John Tortorella on Thursday and will have to stop skating, Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now reports.
Couturier seems unlikely to return in the near term at this point and should probably be considered out indefinitely. After playing in just 29 games last season, the 29-year-old center is approaching a full calendar year without playing, having last logged an NHL contest back on Dec. 18, 2021 against Ottawa.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Won't need surgery
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Couturier (back) will not require surgery but is still considered week-to-week, Bill Meltzer of NHL.com reports Wednesday.
Couturier was limited to just 29 games last season and is once again expected to miss some time with reports indicating anywhere between 1-3 months. Without the veteran center in the lineup, Morgan Frost has been stepping into a first-line center role, though Kevin Hayes will likely almost be in the mix for that spot once the regular season begins.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Could return sooner than expected
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Couturier (back) could return within the next month if his rehab goes according to plan, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
Couturier should be considered out indefinitely until a more concrete outlook is available. The 29-year-old is dealing with back issues for the second straight season and while his current injury doesn't appear to be as serious as originally expected, the team may elect to ease him back into action to prevent re-injury.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Expected to miss extended time
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Couturier (back) is expected to miss at least the next three months with a herniated disc, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Couturier was limited to 29 games last season before undergoing season-ending back surgery. He was expected to be ready for the 2022-23 campaign before getting injured again during strength and conditioning drills. Friedman notes that the Flyers are seeking a second opinion and it's currently unclear if Couturier aggravated the previous injury or if this one is unrelated. He tallied six goals and 17 points before the injury last season. Per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Couturier will be re-evaluated during training camp and is currently considered week-to-week.
Flyers' Sean Couturier: Expected to be ready for 2022-23
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Couturier (back) is slated to be cleared to play Opening Night next season, Sam Carchidi of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Friday.
Couturier was limited to just 29 games this year before undergoing season-ending back surgery. In those contests, the Phoenix native managed to rack up six goals, 11 helpers and 79 shots. Barring any setbacks, Couturier should be capable of once again being a 40-plus-point producer.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Undergoes season-ending surgery
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Couturier underwent successful back surgery Friday and will miss the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign.
Couturier has been sidelined since Dec. 29 with what was previously labeled an upper-body injury, so the Flyers and he may have been hoping to avoid surgery, but with Philadelphia in last place in the Metropolitan division, there's no need to further delay the season-ending procedure. Couturier is expected to make a full recovery in approximately three months, so he should be back to 100 percent well ahead of next campaign's training camp. The 29-year-old forward will finish the 2021-22 season having totaled six goals, 17 points and 79 shots on net through 29 games.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Clears protocols
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Couturier (upper body) cleared COVID-19 protocols and skated at Wednesday's practice, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
It's unclear how far along Couturier is in his recovery from a Dec. 30 upper-body injury, but his presence at practice indicates he's recovered from COVID-19. The forward, who had six goals and 11 assists in 29 games before the injury, should play top-six minutes whenever he returns to the lineup.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Shifts to LTIR
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Couturier (upper body, COVID-19 protocols) was placed on long-term injured reserve Saturday, per CapFriendly.
Couturier has been out since Dec. 30, so this is simple a paper move. He's yet to resume on-ice activities, so the center should be considered to be out indefinitely until he returns to practice in some capacity.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Hasn't resumed skating
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Couturier (upper body, COVID-19 protocols) has yet to resume skating, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Couturier is continuing his therapy but has not resumed on-ice activities. The 29-year-old has averaged 20:23 of ice time -- 2:50 during the power play -- and recorded 17 points over 29 games this season.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Ruled out for week
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Couturier (upper body, COVID-19 protocols) is not expected to return to action this week, per Sam Carchidi of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Couturier is considered week-to-week but has been ruled out for the next three Flyers contests. The 29-year-old averaged 20:38 of ice time, 2:35 during the power play and recorded four points through his last 10 appearances. The first game on Philadelphia's slate next week is Monday against the Islanders.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: On injured reserve
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Couturier (upper body, COVID-19 protocols) was placed on injured reserve Thursday. He is considered week-to-week.
Couturier is also on the COVID-19 protocols list as of Thursday, but he'll likely be cleared from that well in advance of his return from injury. Expect Kevin Hayes and Claude Giroux to pick up the slack as top-six centers with Couturier sidelined.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Moves to COVID-19 list
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Couturier was recently placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols, according to Bill Meltzer of NHL.com.
Couturier was placed on the COVID-19 list Dec. 21, but he still has several days left before he can return to the ice. He should be back in action in early January.
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Flyers' Sean Couturier: Tuesday's game postponed
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Couturier and the Flyers' game against the Capitals on Tuesday has been postponed due to COVID-related concerns.
Couturier will have to wait for a Dec. 29 matchup with the Kraken for his next opportunity to add to the 17 points he's picked up through 29 games this campaign.
