It could not come at a more perfect time. As every single Philadelphia Flyers fan is either freaking out about the team just not looking right or trying to calm those other guys down, Sean Couturier is coming back from an early-season injury like radiant beam of light that makes you feel warm inside.
Per GM Chuck Fletcher, center Sean Couturier is an estimated 7 to 10 days away from returning to the lineup. An additional update will be provided in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/6Z0sfRhMZf
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 2, 2021
The two-way center was declared to be out a minimum of two weeks with Costochondral separation, or what is better known as one of your ribs tearing away from its cartilage that keeps it attached. It most likely occurred just seconds into the second game of the season against the Pittsburgh Penguins, when he took an abrupt hit from Jared McCann.
Since then, the Flyers have gone through peaks and valleys in the proceeding eight—basically nine—games without one of their best forwards. From embarrassing 6-1 losses at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, to winning their last four games and taking revenge on the New York Islanders; this team has gone through a lot since Couturier was last seen on the ice.
All the while, the Flyers just have felt like the paper tiger team of this NHL season. Not great underlying metrics tied with some shooting puck and power play fortunes, essentially sums up to a team you don’t want to really bet on. But with the magnificent gap-toothed man coming back from injury, those numbers can more than likely change and the fortune will change into a sustainable source of offense.
The Flyers will be back to almost full force to continue their reign over the East Division, as long as the blue line figures itself out. Philadelphia cannot be stable in their happiness.
