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Couturier: "Doesn't Come Easy to Get into the Playoffs and Win"
Selke Trophy center Sean Couturier spoke via video conference on Monday with members of the local media. He discussed the offseason, the bubble experience during the playoffs, the upcoming training camp and his expectations heading into a 56-game regular season consisting entirely of games within the new Eastern Division. A transcript follows below, courtesy of the Flyers:
What do you think this team has to do to get to another level and take the next step??
I think first of all, we need to get off to a good start, especially with a shortened season. I had gone through it the lockout year. We had a good team. We just got off to a poor start and just couldn’t make up ground in time to make the playoffs. I think it’s important to get off to a good start, get a good camp in and be ready for Game 1. Then go from there. Once you’re in the playoffs, anything can happen. That’s another part of our game where we’ll have to just take another step as the year goes on.
Is there any relief that you are able to play at the Wells Fargo Center and kind of have an easier travel schedule this year as opposed to a bubble situation? Was there anything about the bubble experience that kind of surprised you in any way or was different than you expected?
I think the bubble was probably better than what I expected. The set-up we had anyways in Toronto, our hotel was amazing. There’s no complaints about that. At the end of the day, you’re in a hotel and after a week or two, you get tired of being in a hotel. It’s not ideal. I’m happy that we get to play in our home rink and have somewhat a normal schedule. Personally with having a newborn baby, it’s going to be a lot better for me anyway, mentally and the guys with families. I think it’s way better this way where we can have somewhat more of a normal life.
Have you had a chance to see Nolan Patrick skating at all? How is he looking on the ice and off the ice? Does he look like a guy that can be a big contributor for you guys this season?
I’ve been here for a week now. It’s been a little over a week. He looks good. He’s skating well. We all know the talent and the skill that Nolan has. We’re excited to have him back. He could be a big asset for us this year.
Kevin Hayes said that the playoff experience is very valuable to the young guys. How much of a value was it to win that first playoff series and kind of get over the hump?
I think anytime you can get into the playoffs, especially win a round and see what it takes to move on, it’s always a great experience. I think a lot of young guys learned from that. I think it’s important now in my tenth year and being in and out of the playoffs, it’s not something easy and doesn’t come that easy to get into the playoffs and win. You’ve just got to be ready every year and every playoffs. Every chance you get to improve and help the team, that’s what you need to do.
What did you think of the signing of Erik Gustafsson? How difficult will it be for the entire D-corps to replace Matt Niskanen?
Nisky is going to be missed for sure, with his play and especially his leadership and what he brought to the locker room as a guy. Gustafsson, not knowing him much from him being out West, from seeing him the past week, the way he can move the puck and skate and be solid one-on-one, I think he’s going to be a great addition to our D-corps. He can have a great impact on our team.
Is that going to make the season a lot different, facing just seven other teams?
Different in some ways, yeah. I guess every game is more important because you are playing with a new division and fighting for the same playoff spot every night basically. It’s a little bit different. There’s probably more value to each game. It’s going to be a little different. Going through it the lockout year, it’s important to get off to a good start because if you come out of the gates with a poor start, after ten, fifteen games, there’s not many games you can catch up. At the same time, it’s going to be divisional games so every point is going to be worth almost that much more. It’s going to be fun. There’s going to be some rivalries that are going to build up.
With a short training camp and no exhibition games, do you think that gives an advantage to a team like the Flyers who hadn’t had a ton of turnover? It’s the same coaching staff and basically the same group of players. Does that help a team get ready to go and get off to hopefully a good start once the season begins?
I think it can help. Like you said, we didn’t have many changes in our lineup this off-season. At the same time, I think every team is in the same situation. It’s going to be up to each guy to show up to camp in great shape and go from there.
On a personal side, how has your off-season been? How has early fatherhood been for you?
Off-season’s been good. Obviously didn’t do much this off-season with all the restrictions and everything back home. At the same time, it allowed me to spend a lot of time with my daughter and the family. I took advantage of that. Now I’m excited to be back here and get back to work.
How have you seen Phil Myers grow, especially last season and into playoffs? Where is he now, if you’ve had a chance to see him during your skates at Voorhees?
Every year, he seems to take a step. I remember when we signed him. I think he was eighteen years old and weighed 180 pounds. Now, he’s a monster at 6’4”, 6’5” and 220. He’s grown and becoming a man. He’s solid out there. He looks solid. He skates well. He has a good shot. I think with the years and experience, he’s just going to get better and better. He’s got all the tools to become a pretty special D-man in this league. Not putting too much pressure this year, but if every year he can improve his game and get to another level, he’s going to be some player to watch.
There’s a chance Myers can play with Provorov this year. Is that a role that you think he’s ready for? Do you see someone that is ready to take on that much more responsibility?
I think he has the tools to have success. At the same time, I’m not the one doing the lineups and the pairings. That’s going to be up to the coaching staff. I think eventually he’s going to have to be given the opportunity or he’s going to earn it eventually. It’s up in the air. We will see what happens. He’s got a great future for sure.
WJC: Day 4 Roundup, Day 5 Preview
Sweden extended its winning streak in preliminary round competition at the World Junior Championships to 54 straight games after outshooting Austria by a 65-6 margin and breezing to a 4-0 shutout win on Monday night. Flyers 2020 second-round pick Emil Andrae played a strong two-way game for the Swedes, building on a solid third period in Saturday's win over the Czech. Against Austria, Andrae skated 21:17 over 26 shifts.
Carolina Hurricanes 2020 second-round pick Noel Gunler, who is his second full (third partial) season at Sweden's SHL level with Luleå HF, scored power play and even strength goals for the Junior Crowns. Red Wings 2020 first-round pick Lucas Raymond (Frölunda) notched a goal and an assist and Red Wings 2020 second-round pick Theodor Niederbach (also a Frölunda forward) tallied a power play goal. Hugo Ahlnefelt (Tampa Bay 2019 third-round pick, HV71) earned the easy shutout on six saves.
Once again, Austrian goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz was his team's best player during the game. Strong goaltending was all that prevented the game from being a blowout. However, because the IIHF tries to spread around Player of the Game honors whenever possible, defenseman Luis Linder (24:21 TOI) received the recognition for his team after the game. If Minnesota Wild 2020 first-round pick Marco Rossi scores a goal next game, he'd be the favorite to be the next one recognized.
Team Sweden is idle on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they will put their 54-game preliminary round winning streak on the line when they face Team Russia. The Russians are still smarting from a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic on Sunday.
In other action from Monday, top German prospects J.J. Peterka and Tim Stützle set up Mario Zimmerman in the final minute of overtime to lift their side to a 4-3 victory over Slovakia. Earlier, Stützle (Senators 2020 first-round pick, 3rd overall) opened the scoring in the game and subsequently erased a short-lived 2-1 deficit to knot the score near the midpoint of regulation. Peterka assisted on Germany's third goal in the final minute of the second period after Slovakia retook the lead at 3-2 on Michal Mrazik's second goal of the period.
Tuesday's games: After a rare two-day break, Team USA (Cam York, Bobby Brink) return to the ice on Day 5 of the tourney to play Team Czech Republic. Which Czech team will show up: the one that started strong and then fell apart in their opener against Sweden or the one that played a stifling checking game, got some big saves and just enough goal production to blank Russia? Even more important, will Team USA continue to build on their strong third period in a losing cause against Russia, followed by an 11-0 thrashing of Austria?
In the other game, undefeated Team Canada, which had a tougher-than-expected time in a 3-1 win over Slovakia after crushing undermanned Germany, 16-2, takes on Switzerland.
Provorov on Nasty Knuckles
Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov is typically rather laconic, albeit polite, in interviews with the media. Ask a question, such as how he felt about being omitted from NHL Network's list of the top defensemen in the NHL, and you get a cut-to-the-chase answer ("I don't play to get on some list."). He is very serious about his craft and his workout routine is as legendary among his teammates as it is quasi-secretive (at least in the offseason).
Provorov, however, does not have his game face on, 24/7. His personal familiarity and comfort level being around former Flyers equipment manager Derek Settlemyre put him immediately at ease. Meanwhile, ormer Flyers player/ Phantoms assistant coach Riley Cote has the ability to make others simply be themselves because he is typically quite candid in a laid back way. The combination made for an interesting edition of the new "Nasty Knuckles" podcast.
In a 56-minute episode, Provorov talked about some of his routines, his constant striving for self-improvement, his almost obsessive attention to detail (such as being able to tell if there was a negligible weight difference between sticks). He told a story about switching the blades on his skates 11 times in a single game in Dallas. Settlemyre, meanwhile, said that Provorov always said "please" when he'd ask for his gear to be checked or altered to his liking.
"I love this kid," Settlemyre said.
Throughout the interview, Provorov smiles frequently and often laughs. It's a more relaxed side to the player that he doesn't often show when the media is in the room (or, to be more accurate in the pandemic, logged onto a video conference with the player).
Today in Flyers History: December 29
1977: Rick MacLeish notched his 12th career hat trick as the Flyers down the Minnesota North Stars, 5-3, at the Spectrum.
1978: The Flyers announced a significant trade: The team acquired right winger Dennis Ververgaert from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for promising young defenseman Kevin McCarthy and young right winger Drew Callander. Flyers general manager Keith Allen had long coveted Ververgaert, who tallied 37 goals for the Canucks in 1975-76. When the forward finally became available, the Flyers pounced. The trade did not prove to rank among the better ones in Allen's illustrious GM career. Ververgaert's game never fully got back on track in Philadelphia while McCarthy went on to become an NHL All-Star and captain for the Canucks.
1979: The Flyers' unbeaten streak hit 33 consecutive games as the club holds on for a 3-2 road win over the Colorado Rockies. Rookie left winger Brian Propp's 20th goal of the season opened the scoring, supplemented by second period tallies by Rick MacLeish and Bob Dailey. The Rockies score twice in the third period.
1992: The Flyers played a road game against the LA Kings, and quickly fell behind. The game was just 2:43 old when a Luc Robitaille power play goal - scored just 37 seconds after he set up a John McIntyre marker - put Philadelphia in a 2-0 hole.
The rest of the night, however, belonged to the Flyers. Philly shrugged off the early deficit to explode for an astounding 10 unanswered goals. The Flyers score four times over the remainder of the first period, twice in the middle stanza and four more times in the third period. Philadelphia went 4-for-5 on the power play while killing four of five penalties on the night.
Rod Brind'Amour supplied half of the Flyers' offense in this game with a hat trick and two assists. The three goals - his 13th, 14th and 15th of the 1992-93 season - marked the only hat trick of his Flyers' career.
In the meantime, Crazy Eights Line left winger Brent Fedyk scored twice and added an assist for a three-point game. His linemate, Mark Recchi, added a goal and two assists. With rookie Eric Lindros sidelined, veteran Pelle Eklund stepped up to deliver a four-point game (one goal, three assists).
Flyers rookie goalie Tommy Söderström (42 saves on 44 shots) stayed plenty busy in his own right. After getting beaten on two of the first four shots he faced, he settled in to stop 40 in a row. LA starter Kelly Hrudey (12 saves on 16 shots) was pulled after the first period. Backup goaltender Rob Stauber went the rest of the way, yielding six goals on 24 shots.
1995: The Legion of Doom spurred the Flyers to a 3-2 win in Calgary as Eric Lindros notched his 24th goal of the season and Mikael Renberg scored his 20th. Pat Falloon's 10th goal of the season, scored with 2:30 left in the third period proved to be the game-winning tally.
1996: The Flyers paid another visit to Calgary and skated off with 4-2 win. John LeClair scored twice, while Dale Hawerchuk and Dainus Zubrus chipped in one goal apiece.
1998: For the third time in four years, the Flyers spent their Dec. 29th in Calgary. Once again, the Flyers emerged victorious. This time, the Flyers rallied back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period and went on to win on a Valeri Zelepukin goal in overtime. Colin Forbes, Dainius Zubrus and Dan McGillis scored in regulation.
2005: The Flyers recovered from deficits of 2-1 and 3-2 to capture a 4-3 overtime win over the host Carolina Hurricanes. Simon Gagne tied the game midway through the third period on his 27th goal of the season. Sami Kapanen scored the game winner in overtime.
2007: Joffrey Lupul opened the scoring with a penalty shot goal and the Flyers went forth to capture a 4-2 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mike Knuble, Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen also tallied for the Flyers.
2011: Ex-Penguins Jaromir Jagr (12th goal of the season) and Max Talbot (10th) led the way offensively as the Flyers captured a 4-2 victory in Pittsburgh. Jagr did his "salute" goal celebration after scoring, which elicited another round of boos from the crowd. Kimmo Timonen and rookie Matt Read (12th) also notched goals for the Flyers. This game was the Flyers' last before returning to Philadelphia for the Winter Classic.
2014: A pair of goals (4th and 5th) by second-stint Flyer R.J. Umberger was not enough, as an Antoine Vermette hat trick and one goal by Oliver Ekman-Larsson lifted the host Coyotes to a 4-2 win over a Flyers.
2017: Goals from five different sources -- Wayne Simmonds (12th), Shayne Gostisbehere (8th), Sean Couturier (18th), Brandon Manning (4th) and Valtteri Filppula (9th) -- plus three assists from captain Claude Giroux elevated the Flyers to a 5-3 road win in Tampa.
2019: A temporary oasis in a brutal post-Christmas road trip, the Flyers skated off with a 2-1 win in Anaheim after a Kevin Hayes overtime goal (12th) secured the two points for Philadelphia. Sean Couturier scored the lone regulation goal (10th) for Philly. Brian Elliott made 27 saves to earn the win in goal.
Fallen Flyers video
Today through Thursday (New Year's Eve Day), we will conclude each day's Flyers blog with the 2020 updated edition of the "Fallen Flyers" video; an in memoriam tribute to the members of the Flyers family that have passed away. The video, produced by the Flyers, is always a bit sad to watch but it also brings back a lot of great memories as it honors each person's ties to the organization, one by one.
Sadly, the 2020 edition of the video features several in-memoriam additions: Jack McIlhargey, Dale Hawerchuk and Phyllis Snider Foreman.
For purposes of historical completeness, the video is extensive in its roll call. However, there are a few omissions (most notably co-founder Jerry Wolman, who had a major falling out with Ed Snider in 1967 and the two never reconciled) and one deletion (Kate Smith) from previous editions.
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