Bill, does this revelation alter the reasoning or the impact of Couturier’s benching? What I mean is, was he benched because of bad play or benched because of the injury. Was it known the the Flyers? If so, why, with him so ineffective was he publicly benched for poor play instead of the team disclosing an injury? Were the other players aware of this in the locker room? (It was perplexing that the newly named captain was in fact benched). Did Couts hide this from the team? Did the training staff not delve deep enough in to this? It was a big story at the time when he was scratched and there was a lot of speculation and rumors and even the agent came out and said something negative about the communication. Do you have any further insight in to this?
This organization really needs to rethink how they handle injuries. Couturier should have been shut down the minute he was injured. If their thinking was “hey, we need him, we might make the playoffs”, that’s just flat out asinine. Even if, by some miracle, they made it in, there was zero chance they were gonna win a round.
They seem to have no grasp on the reality of just where they are as a team and what they need to do to build a contender. At this point I have zero faith in them.
This organization really needs to rethink how they handle injuries. Couturier should have been shut down the minute he was injured. If their thinking was “hey, we need him, we might make the playoffs”, that’s just flat out asinine. Even if, by some miracle, they made it in, there was zero chance they were gonna win a round.
They seem to have no grasp on the reality of just where they are as a team and what they need to do to build a contender. At this point I have zero faith in them. - BiggE
Bill, does this revelation alter the reasoning or the impact of Couturier’s benching? What I mean is, was he benched because of bad play or benched because of the injury. Was it known the the Flyers? If so, why, with him so ineffective was he publicly benched for poor play instead of the team disclosing an injury? Were the other players aware of this in the locker room? (It was perplexing that the newly named captain was in fact benched). Did Couts hide this from the team? Did the training staff not delve deep enough in to this? It was a big story at the time when he was scratched and there was a lot of speculation and rumors and even the agent came out and said something negative about the communication. Do you have any further insight in to this? - mikeyo27
The injury had nothing to do with the benching, at least not directly (he wasn't being "rested"). Tortorella considers citing injury as a reason for a downturn in effective to be an excuse. Couturier missed two games due to what was said to be a groin issue then played through it (as it turned out, for the rest of the season). He didn't make a big deal out of it -- never does -- but the issue wasn't hidden or a mystery.
Location: Dementia Patient in the White House, DC, PA Joined: 03.20.2020
Jun 14 @ 11:46 AM ET
If SC was injured, why make a public showing of scratching him? Why not just say he has some minor injuries and needs some rest time? Making a spectacle of scratching SC was just another in a long line of stupid Torts stunts in my opinion. It was totally unnecessary to publicly humiliate the player and certainly had a negative impact on the team as far as I could tell. Throwing this gasoline on a fire that started with Hart's departure and the trade of Walker was not a prudent move.
The injury had nothing to do with the benching, at least not directly (he wasn't being "rested"). Tortorella considers citing injury as a reason for a downturn in effective to be an excuse. Couturier missed two games due to what was said to be a groin issue then played through it (as it turned out, for the rest of the season). He didn't make a big deal out of it -- never does -- but the issue wasn't hidden or a mystery. - bmeltzer
This is exactly why Tortorella has no business coaching this team or any other.
Couturier is a warrior and the playoffs were on the line. To be a Flyer means sacrificing mind, body, and soul for the sake of the letters on the sweater. He made his sacrifice and it wasn't even good enough to be honest because his play slipped. The goal is to win, baby.
If he is injured it's because he can't even get out of bed. Better not have lunch with the team either, or its a fake injury. He better not be smiling at all. To be really injured you must really be suffering and wear it on your face at all times, or else you aren't a Flyer either. That's just girly man stuff.
Location: Dementia Patient in the White House, DC, PA Joined: 03.20.2020
Jun 14 @ 11:52 AM ET
The injury had nothing to do with the benching, at least not directly (he wasn't being "rested"). Tortorella considers citing injury as a reason for a downturn in effective to be an excuse. Couturier missed two games due to what was said to be a groin issue then played through it (as it turned out, for the rest of the season). He didn't make a big deal out of it -- never does -- but the issue wasn't hidden or a mystery. - bmeltzer
I think his play had something to do with the scratching and certainly his injury had something to do with his play. I just think they could have handled the situation differently rather than publicly shaming him. It was the handling of it that is the main complaint for many people. And it was the negative talk of much of the hockey world when it didn't need to be.
The injury had nothing to do with the benching, at least not directly (he wasn't being "rested"). Tortorella considers citing injury as a reason for a downturn in effective to be an excuse. Couturier missed two games due to what was said to be a groin issue then played through it (as it turned out, for the rest of the season). He didn't make a big deal out of it -- never does -- but the issue wasn't hidden or a mystery. - bmeltzer
Bill,
Do the Flyer's really think Tortarella is the coach who will lead them to better times? I am stunned that they have hitched their wagons to him and continue to talk as if he is the messiah in a way.
This franchise needs to make hard desicions about players and do what is best for the future and as much as i wanted to see it I feel like they just don't have the thinking to really correct what flaws the Flyers.
EDIT: Andrew Burnette litterly lead the Panthers to a Presidents Trophy and the Panthers still felt like they needed to make a change.
Do the Flyer's really think Tortarella is the coach who will lead them to better times? I am stunned that they have hitched their wagons to him and continue to talk as if he is the messiah in a way.
This franchise needs to make hard desicions about players and do what is best for the future and as much as i wanted to see it I feel like they just don't have the thinking to really correct what flaws the Flyers.
EDIT: Andrew Burnette litterly lead the Panthers to a Presidents Trophy and the Panthers still felt like they needed to make a change. - J35Bacher
They hired the class clown to be the president of hockey operations, they don’t have a damn clue what to think
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi. Joined: 02.04.2009
Jun 14 @ 12:06 PM ET
This organization really needs to rethink how they handle injuries. Couturier should have been shut down the minute he was injured. If their thinking was “hey, we need him, we might make the playoffs”, that’s just flat out asinine. Even if, by some miracle, they made it in, there was zero chance they were gonna win a round.
They seem to have no grasp on the reality of just where they are as a team and what they need to do to build a contender. At this point I have zero faith in them. - BiggE
Rightly or wrongly, I really doubt Coots would have agreed to be shut down if he felt he could still play through it, especially as a leader of a team with little to no nightly margin.
We know of a lot of players who have been deified for playing through much worse. Tkachuk scoring that huge goal last year with a separated shoulder being a more recent example. Like no doctor would have recommended a guy with a separated shoulder play but hockey culture kinda tends to reward guys who pop a couple of percs, take an injection and power through.
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi. Joined: 02.04.2009
Jun 14 @ 12:06 PM ET
Couturier is a warrior and the playoffs were on the line. To be a Flyer means sacrificing mind, body, and soul for the sake of the letters on the sweater. He made his sacrifice and it wasn't even good enough to be honest because his play slipped. The goal is to win, baby.
If he is injured it's because he can't even get out of bed. Better not have lunch with the team either, or its a fake injury. He better not be smiling at all. To be really injured you must really be suffering and wear it on your face at all times, or else you aren't a Flyer either. That's just girly man stuff. - StepfordSam
They hired the class clown to be the president of hockey operations, they don’t have a damn clue what to think - ClaudeFather
See that move doesn't really bother me much. I actually understand a little because he does have a lot of connections in the hockey world, saw how all these teams got built, saw what it took to be a winner.
If SC was injured, why make a public showing of scratching him? Why not just say he has some minor injuries and needs some rest time? Making a spectacle of scratching SC was just another in a long line of stupid Torts stunts in my opinion. It was totally unnecessary to publicly humiliate the player and certainly had a negative impact on the team as far as I could tell. Throwing this gasoline on a fire that started with Hart's departure and the trade of Walker was not a prudent move. - Letterkenney
Rightly or wrongly, I really doubt Coots would have agreed to be shut down if he felt he could still play through it, especially as a leader of a team with little to no nightly margin.
We know of a lot of players who have been deified for playing through much worse. Tkachuk scoring that huge goal last year with a separated shoulder being a more recent example. Like no doctor would have recommended a guy with a separated shoulder play but hockey culture kinda tends to reward guys who pop a couple of percs, take an injection and power through. - Tomahawk
This is where a real GM with leadership skills looks at the big picture. Cups finals or what not sure play.
wcorvette Season Ticket Holder Philadelphia Flyers
The injury had nothing to do with the benching, at least not directly (he wasn't being "rested"). Tortorella considers citing injury as a reason for a downturn in effective to be an excuse. Couturier missed two games due to what was said to be a groin issue then played through it (as it turned out, for the rest of the season). He didn't make a big deal out of it -- never does -- but the issue wasn't hidden or a mystery. - bmeltzer
Thanks Bill.
It doesn’t seem to be productive for an NHL coach to view injuries and an excuse for poor play. An injury is a reality and has consequences depending on the injury. It’s a shame the coach has that attitude. All that does, among other things, is have a chilling effect on a player reporting injuries for the sake of his own long term health and the teams long term success.
This is where a real GM with leadership skills looks at the big picture. Cups finals or what not sure play. - hello it's me 2050
Exactly.
He could have told him, he had a great first half, we want you to be healthy as we have bigger plans and right now it is not worth risking further injuries when this season is not what we are building for.
See that move doesn't really bother me much. I actually understand a little because he does have a lot of connections in the hockey world, saw how all these teams got built, saw what it took to be a winner. - J35Bacher
I think everyone who follows the NHL saw how those teams got built. Is there some secret that not's public? Just saying the argument of "he watched a lot of hockey" means pretty much anyone on this board is as qualified as him.
The man showed no ambition, aptitude, track record or even recognition by anyone in the hockey world until the Flyers hired him out of the blue.
Redefining the job description make him president of shaking hands and kissing babies makes it more understandable. His job is to push the brand, period, despite the title.
Do i think he has any original ideas to turn the Flyers around? No, but he looks better, sounds better, and is more accessible than Fletcher was to the public.
He could have told him, he had a great first half, we want you to be healthy as we have bigger plans and right now it is not worth risking further injuries when this season is not what we are building for. - J35Bacher
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
And let’s not forget, as we hear all the time, “it’s a business”. The loyalty of the GM is to the health one success of the organization, not the single player. Couts has a long term contract and is THE veteran on a team supposedly rebuilding with youth. The benefits to a healthy Captain for 24-25 is more important that playing through a condition that had such a profound impact on his on-ice success. Sometime the GM has to say “we love that you’re working through this but I’m gonna poop you down for the rest of the year.”
