Twenty (Not So Bold) Predictions for the 2022-2023 Flyers: Part One

Sean Couturier plays Less than 60 Games

The Flyers have not been the picture of health since, ever.  But I believe that the 29 year old Couturier is entering the “multi layered injury” phase of his career.  As much as modern medicine has advanced in the last decades, the joints and backs are still something that are hard to repair. It will not be easy for Couturier to regain his best form.

He plays a physical game where his body’s ability to take abuse is key. He will be asked to do more, with less help, than at any point in his career.  Tortorella would already be tempted to over use him in the best of circumstances, but with the Flyers’ current roster make up the coach will often feel as if he does not have a choice. I expect Couturier to break down multiple times in the season, missing at least 20 games.

Ryan Ellis Plays in Less than 41 games

I think Ellis may not make it back from his injuries.  The fact that Nashville was willing to deal him should have been a hint that there was something amiss. I am beginning to wonder if “multi-layered” is comcast speak for “we found several problems, and there are probably more we don’t know about”.  Based on last time my internet went out it seems reasonable. The Flyers need Ellis to be healthy, and Ellis is not. In fact he is multi-layered unhealthy.  My guess at least one of the layers will need surgery before the end of the season.

Ronnie Attard players Less than 41 Games for the Flyers this Season

There is some hype around Ronnie Attard, and that is not a bad thing. Maybe he can turn into that homegrown 2nd pair RHD the Flyers have coveted since trading away Phil Myers. I have concerns about Attard, specifically his balance.  Attard in his brief stint with the team seemed to get pushed off of, and away from the puck with alarming regularity.  Further it was not just losing a puck battle, Attard was often wiped out, knocked to the ice, and left completely out of the play.

Players fall all the time, well AMac fell all the time. Players do fall at times and there could be reasons, bad ice, a miscommunication, a really well timed hit, but to me it looked like there may be some skating remediation needed. Keep in mind Attard is 23 years old. He had been playing in college with players who were not as physically mature. He will need time to adjust to the pro game and to improve his skating, and he will spend his time doing it in the AHL.