3 Candidates For Philadelphia Flyers Captaincy
Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images | Edit: Dylan H. Robillard-The Hockey News - 3 Candidates For Philadelphia Flyers CaptaincyThe Philadelphia Flyers have been without a "C" on the front of a players sweater since March 2022, after the club traded 10-season-long captain Claude Giroux to the Florida Panthers.
Since then, a lot has changed. Head coach John Tortorella has been vocal about the team not needing or having a designated leader. Scott Laughton is the only one with an "A" above the Flyers crest. Despite the hold-off and some reports from Flyers troll DrEvilGritty on Twitter/X, who are some likely candidates in the running for captaincy?
Sean Couturier
The longest-tenured current Philadelphia Flyer, Sean Couturier, 31-years-old. He has the experience of being a leader and was an alternate captain to Claude Giroux for many years during their time together in Philadelphia. After missing all of last season, an injured Couturier looks healthier than ever, posting similar numbers to his younger Selke-like calibre self.
Couturier has immense longevity, playing over a decade in the orange and black and returning to action after suffering what was expected to be a career-ending back injury in 2021-22 and having surgery in 2022-23.
During his career, he has proven to be the backbone of this team. The Flyers struggled mightily last season without Couturier in the lineup. They were not very good on paper, but the same could be said about this season. When Couturier is in the lineup, things feel different, regardless.
In his 12-year-long career, Couturier has 190 goals, 299 assists, 489 points and has played 761 games and counting. This season alone has been a revival to his career, posting 19 assists and 29 points in 40 games while only missing four games with minor issues. With another six years on his contract, Couturier could rightfully earn a new stitching on his sweater.
Scott Laughton
Another longtime Philadelphia Flyer is Scott Laughton, 29. He has also been a player that Tortorella has trusted and shown a liking to during his time as bench boss. He is the only one given a letter to wear on his chest every night. Since being drafted in 2012, Laughton has spent his whole career in Philadelphia and hasn't wavered since.
During Tortorella's time behind the bench in Philadelphia, only one player has ever worn a letter, No. 21, Laughton. I'm not sure what attracts Tortorella toward Laughton, but the two "sergeants" are on the same page and get along well.
Laughton is a clear-cut leader on and off the ice in the Wells Fargo Center and the community. He makes everyone feel welcome, especially during the club's annual pride night. The event is one Laughton looks forward to every year; he is so honoured to be a part of the movement. Hockey is for everyone.
Not only resembling the attributes of being an alternate or an assistant captain, as some refer it to, Laughton deserves the captaincy. He is an honest and reliable leader for everyone in the Flyers locker room, to the fans of Philadelphia and around the world.
Travis Konecny
The youngest and most daunting of the three is Travis Konecny. Playing in his 8th season since being drafted in the first round at the 2015 NHL Draft. Konecy, 26, has grown to be a fan favourite. He plays at an elite level, collecting points while also providing a gritty, aggressive style to his game.
Despite his size at only 5'10'', Konecny packs a punch and is not afraid to throw his body around with his 192-pound frame. He shows what it means to wear the Flyers jersey, becoming a younger veteran inside the locker room.
At the beginning of the season, Tortorella told Konecny that he wanted him to step up and viewed him as a maturing veteran. Konecny strives for intensity and has a passion like none other. Taking a younger captain route may be the right move, with there still being a lot of moving pieces within the organization.
Konecny has outright all-star potential with the mindset to be an elite scoring threat. He possesses the traits of being a leader rather than just a flashy on-ice presence. Konecny shows the underlying criteria to be the Flyers' 20th captain in team history.
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