In the triple-hard salary cap era of the current NHL, constructing a competitive roster does require some cap shenanigans. Certain teams, most notably the Vegas Golden Knights, have been able to remain compliant with the salary cap through the strategic use of LTIR, Stanley Cup Champs finished 14M over the cap. Triple hard salary cap is a whole other conversation but follow me with this thread…
LTIR-stands for Long Term Injured Reserve and is a list players can join while unable to play. This prevents their salary from affecting the team’s cap space.
Vegas Captain Mark Stone went to LTIR January 12th to undergo a MAJOR BACK SURGERY January 31. A move that saved them 9.5 million dollars to utilize at the trade deadline. Vegas brought in Ivan Barbashev at the deadline scoring a monster 18 points in 22 games played in the playoffs. Does Mark’s back surgery sound familiar??? There is not nearly as much info out there regarding Coots injuries as Stone’s, Vegas has been public about the fact that their Captain might never play a full NHL season ever again. Continued surgeries with hopes of him being healthy enough to tear up the playoffs again. Sean Couturier has not played hockey for the Flyers since December 18th 2021 and has gone through two back surgeries since.
A polarizing point amongst fans heading into this next season, and might I add a valid one at that, is what to expect from Sean Couturier??? The former Selke trophy winning Center has been missed tremendously by this team across the board. The type of player that makes this team better just by being present on the ice. Powerplay, penalty kill, FACEOFFS ( a recent struggle), you name it this man makes the Flyers instantly better. IF he is healthy, and to what degree? Fans are torn over what to expect with good reason. Back injuries never go away, he will never be 100% again. The extent of his availability is in my opinion the biggest question mark for next season.
From the end of season farewells, Coots indicated how much he desperately misses the game of hockey. His eagerness to return to the ice is admirable. Sean states that he’s felt the best he has prior to a season in quite some time and hopes to be ready for a comeback this year.
In a rebuild, you still need talented role model players for the developing players to follow. Couturier stands to play a massive role in this team moving forward. He provides veteran leadership and steady dedication towards what it means to be a true pro in this league, a term Coach Tortorella loves to cite. Noah Cates has been praised as a player like Coots, a defensively responsible smart with the puck intelligent player. Imagine what his developmental heights could reach with a full season under Sean’s tutoring??? To properly rebuild a team you need players like Coots.
This hedges on a huge IF when trying to account for a players health but, IF Sean is able to come off LTIR to help guide this team into the tricky waters of a rebuild in my eyes that is a huge victory albeit rather unlikely. In the event he isn’t healthy enough for a full season, follow the Vegas model! Keep him recovering on LTIR to free up some cap space for roster shuffles, and by some longshot this team makes the playoffs activate him day 1 of the post season to bring all he has left in the tank for a run. Personally, I feel Sean’s condition isn’t as severe and he may yet play the majority of this coming season. If he can’t? Do what you can for the player and play the cap games when the playoffs do eventually come back around to Philly.
This is just the beginning of an exciting offseason with many more surprises to come our way. I’ll be keeping an eye on Mr. Selke trophy winner as this show hits the road in October.
Written by: Anthony Spotts (@Spottsongoal)
Photo credits: NHL.com
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