As if the Flyers dont have enough head injuries, rookie center Sean Couturier was struck on the left side of his head -- at the helmet -- by a shot Saturday and left the game.
He remained under evaluation at Pennsylvania Hospital on Saturday night. He could be concussed.
We still dont know full details, said general manager Paul Holmgren. Thank God he turned his head in time where it didnt hit him in the face.
With 48.7 seconds left in the first period, Couturier saw Kimmo Timonens drive from above the left circle coming at him and turned as the puck struck the left side of his helmet, above the ear flap.
Couturier went down on the ice and stayed prone for a few minutes while under medical supervision.
He then rose and skated off under his own power to the dressing room to be examined. Though he passed an initial baseline concussion test, as the Flyers saw with Chris Pronger, sometimes a concussion doesnt manifest itself for days or even weeks.
Danny Briere spoke to Couturier between periods.
NHL
He said he didnt feel too bad, but not all that great, either, Briere said. Theyre tough breaks. I hope we get all of them out of the way now so that by the playoffs, were at full strength.
Holmgren said that Couturiers baseline scores were similar to what he had in training camp.
I think what they are checking for now is damage to his skull, Holmgren said. And taking a look to see if there is any internal damage.
The Flyers have three players currently concussed and out of the lineup: Chris Pronger (out for season), Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn. None of these concussions involved a dirty play or questionable hit.
The speedy Couturiers influence cant be understated. He averages 13:03 minutes a night and is one of their top penalty killers, logging 3:05 a game. His shorthanded average has been higher than Girouxs (2:50) because he picked up added minutes with Giroux out.
Holmgren said he was uncertain if the club will call up a player. Giroux and Schenn made the trip to Denver on Saturday night, but wont play in Denver or Dallas.
Were missing a lot of bodies right now and its too bad its another centerman, Jaromir Jagr said. Theres nobody left at center. We got three concussed centermen. Its not easy. We gotta battle through.
Although the Flyers have three centers injured now, Holmgren wasnt sure if he would call up a forward from the Phantoms.
We do have some flexibility and Matt Read can play center, he said. Obviously, Schenn and Giroux are not options here for the near future. Well have to talk about that.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net