After missing 10-games due to a costochondral separation, Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier is ready to return. A return that will come Sunday vs the Washington Capitals.
On Sunday, the Flyers activated Sean Couturier from IR & will make his return to the lineup vs the Capitals.
Couturier, who went through his first practice with the team since his injury yesterday, was day-to-day according to his GM Chuck Fletcher. Something HC Alain Vigneault said “there’s no doubt he’s getting closer” after practice yesterday.
“If that will be tomorrow, Tuesday or a day or two after that, I’m not quite sure yet,” head coach Alain Vigneault said on Saturday. “Today was the first time he’s had a practice with the team, but he has been skating since the beginning whether it’s the taxi squad or on his own. Today we basically had him out there his first time. I haven’t talked to him since practice was over. So I’ll have a better idea in the next couple hours.”
Vigneault continued saying “I’m not concerned at all about his conditioning or his timing because he’s been able to skate and push through this. So it’s just a matter of him feeling healthy and our doctors and our medical staff saying he’s good to go.”
With Sean Couturier returning, his presence is something the Flyers hope will help with their team defense. Something that has been a major struggle without Couturier in the lineup.
In the 10-games Couturier missed, the Flyers went 5-3-2.
“It’ll be nice to hopefully soon get Coots back,” goalie Carter Hart said about Couturier returning. “He’s a dynamic player and plays a good 200 foot game. So whenever that is, we’ll be happy to have him back.”
Photo Credit : Nick Wass – AP
