Sean Couturier benched — frustrated with how things have been handled lately
Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
The Flyers may be playing their biggest game of the season so far on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Wells Fargo Center.
However, they will be going without their captain, Sean Couturier, who is a healthy scratch.
John Tortorella is a Stanley Cup-winning head coach. He has done almost everything right this season. This one, though, is quite bold.
“It’s tough,” a disgruntled Couturier said after morning skate on Tuesday. “I feel I’ve been putting the work in for a while, I know I’ve been struggling, trying to work on my game. Definitely frustrated with the way I’ve been treated around, I guess, lately. It is what it is.”
Couturier opened the season as the Flyers’ first-line center but has recently received a demotion in the lineup with his minutes being cut greatly. Couturier’s game has appeared to improve as of late. The team around him, not so much.
So why not give maybe the hottest guy on the team right now more minutes? Why not rely on the guy highly regarded for his defensive track record against an offensive powerhouse in the Maple Leafs?
“I think there are a number of players, him being one, that need to be better,” Tortorella said Monday after practice.
“I’ve gotten the same answers as you guys, just need to see more,” Couturier said. “I’m still looking to find out what that is. I’m trying every game, it’s not like I’m just sitting around or doing nothing I think. I felt the last couple of games, with the limited ice time or opportunities I’ve been getting, I’ve been doing all right. But I guess we’re going with the best lineup available tonight to get a win, so it is what it is.
“Doesn’t matter, honestly, what I think. I’ve got to leave my ego aside I guess. Hopefully the team finds a way to get a win here tonight and I can get back into it soon.”
Couturier will not be alone, as he will join Cam Atkinson, Denis Gurianov, and Marc Staal as spectators on Tuesday night.
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