PHILADELPHIA — Travis Konecny doesn’t get what all the fuss is about.

The Flyers rookie hasn’t been here the last two years so he’s unfamiliar with the criticisms of his centerman.

Sean Couturier can’t play offense?

“I haven’t seen him in the past couple years because I didn’t really follow the NHL that much, but from seeing what he’s doing this year, I don’t think he’s got any troubles in the offensive zone,” Konecny said. “He’s impressive. He makes plays every night that surprise me and throw me off. Plays that I don’t see and the puck is on my stick.”

The line of Konecny, Couturier and Jake Voracek has basically been untouched all season. Through only 17 games, that’s saying something because coach Dave Hakstol has had his line blender running at times.

“We’re creating chances. Offensively we’re controlling the puck. Still have some things to get better at,” Couturier said. “I think defensively and through the neutral zone we’ve got to be a little more tighter, a little more responsible defensively, but at the same time offensively we can’t change. We have to keep supporting each other, move the puck quick and bring pucks to the net.”

It’s odd to hear Couturier say he wants to improve defensively because he’s been in a defense-first role nearly his whole career. Even before this season started when he was on Team North America at the World Cup as an elder statesman, he was used in a shut-down role.

He’d like to show that he can provide offense as a second-line center in the league and he feels like he’s getting his chance.

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