Hello and welcome to Between the Pipes! In this Tuesday edition, we'll look at a few Flyers headlines that are making the rounds with training camp now in its second full week.
Sean Couturier banged up as camp reaches second full week – [Ryan Bright – CSNPhilly.com]
Couturier was likely injured in a game against the New York Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center last week and is now being classified as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. After signing an extension with the Flyers over the summer, Couturier is being counted on to step up his game offensively while maintaining his standing as one of the better shutdown defensive centers in the game. If he is unable to be ready when the season opens in Tampa Bay, Scott Laughton may end up being his replacement. Thus far, the Flyers haven't expressed concern that this would be a lingering injury. The fanbase will obviously know more once the exhibition schedule begins to wind down.
Versatile Sam Gagner skating at all three forward positions in preparation for regular season - [Dave Isaac – Courier Post]
The season has yet to begin and Sam Gagner is already one of the more scrutinized Flyers. Known for the underachieving start to his career in Edmonton and Arizona, Gagner will have a chance for redemption this season as the Flyers look to avoid missing the playoffs for a third time in four years. One of the benefits of Gagner's game is that he can play any forward position, a strategy that first-year coach Dave Hakstol is experimenting with here in the early going. The 26-year-old's versatility will certain come in handy, especially as the Flyers begin to sort out the preseason injuries to players such as Sean Couturier and Michael Raffl.
R.J. Umberger played injured last season amid worry of a buyout – [Randy Miller – NJ.com]
When the Flyers traded Scott Hartnell to the Columbus Blue Jackets for R.J. Umberger last summer, the thought was that Umberger would at least contribute admirably while not costing the team quite as much against the salary cap. After a horrendous 2014-15 campaign which ended with hip surgery, Umberger admitted that he hid the injury for fear that the Flyers would buy-out his contract. With his injury now behind him, it's time for the rejuvenated winger to prove to the Flyers that he is worth a spot as one of the team's top-12 forwards. If truly healthy, Umberger is capable of contributing 15-20 goals while being active on special teams. The team will count on the 33-year-old veteran to be consistent as they try to compete in the uber competitive Metropolitan Division.
Zach Hopkins is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @healedbyhockey.
