Philadelphia Flyers: Why Sean Couturier Should Win The Selke Trophy
Sean Couturier of the Philadelphia Flyers is not just a Selke Trophy candidate. He’s a warrior as well.
Sean Couturier and his Philadelphia Flyers were eliminated in six games by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game 6 loss was not for lack of contribution by the first time Selke Trophy Finalist, who scored three goals in the game.
His selection as a Selke Trophy finalist came one day after an injury that kept Couturier out of Game Four of the series. Coots, as his teammates call him, returned for Game Five and scored the goal that kept the Flyers alive in the series.
After the Game Six loss, it was revealed that Couturier has a torn MCL. If there are Flyers fans that doubt the heart of this player, this team, shame on them. Couturier basically skated on one leg and did everything he could to win Game 6. Only bad defensive play by the team kept him from achieving that goal.
Why Sean Couturier Should Win The Selke
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Couturier had a career season for the Flyers this year. Philadelphia fans have been clamoring for offense from the 8th overall pick in the 2011 entry draft, and Couturier finally answered. His 31 goals and 45 assists were both career highs. While the Selke is awarded to the NHL’s best defensive forward, Couturier’s offense was most likely what finally got him attention in this race.
Centering Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek certainly didn’t hurt Couturiers’ offense. The addition of Travis Konecny to that top line only amped up the firepower, but the top line also sees a lot of the best line from the opposing team.
That defensive responsibility has been a skill Couturier has possessed since he broke into the league. Adding the scoring has made him what can only be considered a total package player. He also played all 82 regular season games for the Flyers. Game 4 of the Pittsburgh series was the first game he missed during the 2017-18 season.
Why Sean Couturier Won’t Win…this year
In a word, Bergeron. Patrice Bergeron is a four-time winner of the Selke, and will most certainly win the award a fifth time. It also does not help Couturier’s case that the Flyers were eliminated in the first round, while Bergeron’s Bruins appear ready to move on.
Next: Top 10 Controversial Flyers Captains
Coots will be a Selke Finalist again, and will eventually win the Trophy. He has shown himself to be worthy of being named the NHL’s best two way forward, and once his team catches up with him, Coots will be taking home a lot of trophies.