VOORHEES, N.J. – Redemption can be a powerful motivating force.
The process of righting a wrong, at least in the eyes of the beholders, might be what drives the Flyers this season.
Things were moving along pretty well for the team last season, one in which they held down a playoff spot for 124 days, surprising quite a few of the so-called experts.
But then came an 0-6-2 slump at the end of the season which bumped the Flyers out of a playoff spot for the fourth straight year.
Don’t think that memory isn’t sitting in the backs of the minds of a number of veteran players.
You can be sure a lot of them are thinking they don’t want another repeat performance.
“I think you have to every year when you miss the playoffs this many years in a row,” said Laughton after Friday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “So we’re looking to take that next step. Continue to get better.
“I think this is the year to kind of prove ourselves. Do it again but this time have a good finish.”
This is coach John Tortorella’s third season with the Flyers and there shouldn’t be any excuses. In his words, the team knows what Tortorella wants and the coach knows what makes the players tick.
“It’s the same group,” Laughton agreed. “For the most part I think guys are comfortable with each other. They’re comfortable with (Tortorella’s) system.
“I think we can kind of hit the ground running at the start and not much changes. We’re ready to go.”
>Couturier’s advice
Back in 2011-12, Sean Couturier made the Flyers roster the same year he was drafted.
Any advice for youngsters battling for jobs (and possibly winning one) in 2024?
“Yeah,” he said, “soak in the moment. Try not to think too much about it. I know it’s hard. You dream about that moment your whole life. Just enjoy the moment. Get your first shift out of the way, try to get your legs going. And go from there.”
In Couturier’s memory, this has been one of the most competitive training camps.
“I think starting last year we’ve had a lot of guys fighting for roster spots,” Couturier said. “This year everyone’s kind of taken a step forward. Fightin’ for different opportunities throughout the lineup.
“So I think it’s a good internal battle. We have a great group of guys who have responded well to it. It’s fun to come to the rink and work.”
Couturier agree with Laughton that there’s a bit of a comfort level between players and coach now that both sides know what each other wants and needs.
“There’s no more real messing around,” Couturier said. “There’s no not knowing what to expect. Everyone knows what they have to do when they come to the rink. Guys know what to do, whether it’s on the ice or in the gym.”
