The team agreed to a six-year contract extension with 22-year-old Sean Couturier that will kick in for the 2016-17 season. Couturier’s $1.75 million hit for this upcoming season still stands.
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About the extension contract Couturier told, “It’s a great organization, they believe in me, “I’m really happy to be there for the next six years”. I think the future is bright in Philly. “I think we can do a lot of good stuff with Dave and hopefully we can prove that this year”. He was tasked with shutting down Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins in the 2012 playoffs – which he did. A lockdown center on the penalty kill, his defensive game is superb, but his offensive game is still in the works. Umberger and Matt Read, two players who struggled offensively. Couturier has posted 118 points over 287 career games and is coming off a season in which he netted a career-best 15 goals. Following the season, Couturier helped lead Team Canada to the gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Championships where he recorded three goals and added four assists for seven points in 10 games.
Even if the threat was only restricted free agency, the Flyers didn’t let their young center hit the market.
Hakstol was mum when asked about potential line combinations.
Last season, the Flyers didn’t seem to have a real solid option for a second-line center.
Ironically, Couturier also scored 28 goals over the last two seasons, playing a full 82-game slate both years. If not, well, we’ll just have to see. Whatever they want me to do I’ll do my best at the role they give me and what they want and what they expect from me. “Whatever I can do to help the team win”.
“I say it over and over, but Coots is 22 years old”, Hextall said in June.
But the point remains: this is a damn good deal for the Flyers, because he’s an absolute defensive stud and will only get better, considering he’s just 22.
“It [the contract] is a nice boost of confidence, for sure, ” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to come in camp and try to take another step forward”, Couturier said.
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Couturier plays decent two-way hockey with the ability to back-check, though he is not the fastest skater.
