If Sean Couturier had been drafted a year ago, his chances of making the Flyers roster would have hovered somewhere between nonexistent and very, very, very slim.
Between the lack of open roster spots and the log jam at center, there simply wouldnt have been a place for himor even a player whose spot he could have challenged.
But now, Mike Richards is gone. Jeff Carter is gone. So too are Ville Leino, Darroll Powe, Dan Carcillo and Nikolay Zherdev. Roster spots are vacant. Lines are far from defined.
All the questions surrounding just how the new-look Flyers will actually look benefit Couturier, the eighth-overall pick of this years draft.
A lot of times, you go into camp and you say that theres an opportunity for everyone, but this camp is different from last camp, coach Peter Laviolette said. Last camp there was a lot of slots that were filled and there was a lot of positions that were set in stone. There were line combinations that were set and defensive pairings that were set.
As it currently stands, Couturier is the very definition of a bubble player. Theres a very good chance hell be returned to his junior team in Canada once the NHL season beginsbut theres a shot (albeit a small one) that the 18 year old earns himself a spot in the big league.
Anybody who goes on the ice during camp has a shot, Laviolette said. It would be unfair to say, This guys got a shot and this guy doesnt have a shot. Ultimately, players should be judged on the way they play. If somebody comes on here and theyre dynamic and they deserve to make this team, theyll get a good, long look. Not everybody will get good looks.
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Couturier, one of the participants in rookie camp, which kicked off Monday, is sure to get a lot of good looks from Flyers coaches and management over the coming days. And they will extend well into next week; the team's full training camp begins Saturday. Couturier has already earned an invite.
My main goal is to make the team, but Im taking it one day at a time, working hard every day, Couturier said. Just trying to get better every day. Its going to be up to the staff to decide whether they keep me or not.
"I'm just hoping to make a good first impression," he added.
Of course, there will be some hurdles for Couturier to overcome before hes able to land a spot (and we're talking about on-ice hurdles, not cap-related).
Since he was last at Skate Zone, back in July for prospect camp, Couturier has added a couple pounds, bringing his weight up to about 200 pounds. But for a 6-foot-3 center, hes still thin.
In addition, in order to compete for a spot, he might have to consider a move to wing. Thats not unprecedented (he spent time on the wing during his first season of junior hockey), but hes still admittedly more comfortable at center.
And, he added, theres always elements of his game that could be improved.
My skating has always been a lack, but Ive been working on it, and Ive got to keep working, Couturier said. Thats probably the biggest thing Ive got to work, my speed.
Laviolette said he was pleased with what he saw from Couturier on Monday, though its the days ahead that will help the Flyers decide his fate for this season.
Sean is just coming in recently now because he has commitments with junior hockey and Hockey Canada, so theres less time to see him, Laviolette said. Today was our first time to see him get on the ice and taking a look at him, but he seemed to be able to move the puck and get up and down the ice pretty good as well.
Couturier and the Flyers other rookies will practice again Tuesday and Wednesday, and then play in the annual rookie game against the Washington Capitals rookies on Thursday. And it's that game, Laviolette said, that will really give a true indication of what Couturier can do.
That game at the end of the week is important on how we move forward through our camp and where we place people and how we look at people and opportunity presents, he said. This is a big week for a lot of people, but there is opportunity and that opportunity is for everybody.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com