Critical updates released on Cam Atkinson, Sean Couturier

The Philadelphia Flyers are expected to get some big time reinforcements when Training Camp opens up later this fall, as both Cam Atkinson and Sean Couturier should be good to go. 

Both players have undergone back surgery, and both missed all of last season in recovery. 

"The end of last season, they were ready to come back then," Jones said Wednesday while attending the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. "So now they're gettin,g a full offseason of training and getting ready to prepare for the rigors of a long regular season. All indications are that they are full-go, and we're really excited about that."

Couturier wasn't able to get into one of the final games of the regular season, as the Flyers made the call to shut him down in order to have a full offseason of preparations.

"I appreciate it and I understand where they're coming from," he said then. "I just feel I'm at the same risk right now as I would be next year. ... It's kind of tough on the morale on that side. But like I said, it is what it is. I'm going to keep working hard and get ready for next year."

Meanwhile, Atkinson has been playing in a Summer Elite League in Columbus in preparation for this season. 

"I think it's a great sign, and it's probably great for him to get out there and have some fun in a game environment," Jones said of Atkinson. "He's a really important player for us. Not just the way that he plays and performs on the ice, but how he leads by example."

Getting both players back into the lineup will be big for the Flyers, who missed the postseason last year. 

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