Recovering from Offseason Surgeries, Couturier, Drysdale Important to Flyers Success

Last season didn’t end as planned for the Flyers as a team, but two players in particular who had disappointing finishes were Sean Couturier and Jamie Drysdale. Both shared an offseason experience, having core muscle surgery.

As camp opened on Thursday, both claimed to be fully healthy, but their health is going to be something to monitor throughout the season. It only adds to the importance of both players.

Couturier’s season had a strange sequence. His return to the ice at the start of the season was triumphant, scoring on a penalty shot in his first home game in over a year. In February, Couturier was also named the team’s captain.

However, in the wake of the captaincy announcement, Couturier was also a healthy scratch for two games. After scoring 10 goals and 30 points in his first 41 games of the season, Couturier had just one goal and eight points in his final 33. He also revealed that the injury that nagged him to the point of offseason surgery had started to surface in December.

“It was just a lower-ab, core injury,” Couturier said. “It’s my second time having that surgery in my career. Obviously it was bugging me last year a little bit and had to get that fixed right after the year. It’s one of those injuries that you can rehab and maintain. I just wanted to get it done and move on. I’m glad I did. I feel good.”

The surgery didn’t get in the way of Couturier’s offseason training. He noted that this was a more minor core muscle surgery, one that provided a shorter timeline to become active again.

“I was able to do pretty much everything I wanted to as the summer went on,” Couturier said. “It’s a 6-to-8-week recovery, rehab, but honestly after two weeks you feel great. It’s just a matter of being patient and not pushing too hard to let it heal. I had a good summer of training, feel good, and am ready to go.”

Couturier plays a key role on the Flyers roster, not only as the captain, but as one of the centers on the team. The center position was a focus in the draft and relies heavily on Couturier’s performance to set the tone for the present roster.

Another key position for the Flyers is on the blue line. The newest member of that group just went through another season that was marred by injury and continues to look for a fresh start.

It was a roller coaster season for Drysdale. After playing in just two games in October, Drysdale suffered an injury and was out until Dec. 21. Then he was traded to Philadelphia on Jan. 8 in the trade that sent Cutter Gauthier to Anaheim. He played in 24 games with the Flyers, scoring two goals and five points, but missed more time from late February to the start of April.

In a career that has been plagued with injuries, including this one with the Flyers that required an offseason surgery, Drysdale is ready to turn the page and feeling ready to play the role the team needs.

“I feel good. Body’s feeling good for the first time in a while,” Drysdale said. “That’s a positive. I’m just looking forward to hopefully a full 82 and go from there.”

Drysdale noted that the injury prevented him from playing to his full capabilities. He had to manage what he could do on the ice with the restrictions on his body. After an offseason of recovery and training, one that Drysdale spent entirely in Philadelphia, the 22-year-old defenseman is looking ahead to what’s next in his young career.

“It’s not great knowing that you can’t do what you want to do and know you can do,” Drysdale said. “That’s not ideal. From not being able to warm up properly, being restricted, just doing everything you can to make it feel decent going to games. It was what it was. Everyone goes through things during the year, it’s not just me. No one feels perfect probably after game one of the year. I’m just looking forward to going into this year feeling good.”

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.