Flyers Captain Sean Couturier Calls Out John Tortorella For the Second Time This Week
Photo credit: NBC Sports Philadelphia video
Flyers captain Sean Couturier once again called out former Philadelphia coach John Tortorella this week, which marks the second time he has done so.
Philadelphia Flyers captain Sean Couturier, who just survived a bumpy 2024-25 campaign, took his first jab at former coach John Tortorella during the Flyers' initial training camp practice on September 18, 2025.
Under Rick Tocchet now, the tone has changed considerably, and Couturier hasn't shied away from pointing out the differences.
Following the first day of workouts last week that emphasized systems and puck work, Couturier joked about the differences from Tortorella's intense "old-school" style, which usually included repetitive rope-skipping and lap running.
"Day one, we're actually getting into some systems and playing hockey. So it's different than using a rope and skating laps," Couturier said.
Those were an enduring source of frustration, especially because the Flyers never made the playoffs with him at the helm.
Couturier was healthy-scratched twice in March 2024 and then confessed in exit interviews to having been "pushed aside" by Tortorella.
Defenseman Cam York also agreed with Couturier, who objected to Tortorella's rigid system and definitely prefers Tocchet's new-style, puck-based play.
"It's nice to actually touch a puck on Day 1."
- Cam York
- Cam York
John Tortorella was Fired by the Flyers in March 2025
Tortorella's in-game argument with Couturier went public in 2024 and later resulted in his exit from the team in March 2025, amidst a six-game losing skid, even though the team had just come off a win over the Montreal Canadiens.
At that point, Couturier's minutes per game were in the neighborhood of 18 or so per outing, with occasional fourth-line stretches, which is usually very rare to see occur to a team's captain.
Couturier once again fired another jab at Tortorella this week, as he revealed that players appeared to be playing scared under Tortorella.
"It was almost like the last couple years, guys were scared to make plays and get pulled off the Power Play. It's not, the mentality or philosophy you want to have going into a Power Play and trying to score a goal, when you are scared to make plays."
- Sean Couturier
- Sean Couturier
The relationship is going to be crucial as Philadelphia manages rookies like Matvei Michkov and attempts to put together a turnaround campaign and make the playoffs.
With a clean slate, Couturier appears rejuvenated. His sharp criticisms of Tortorella also serve as a statement: with Tocchet, he plans to guide the Flyers back to the promised land.
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