Although Sean Couturier scored a goal on Thursday, he was limited to just 10:09 minutes of playing time. Couturier is off to a solid start, but he needs to play more often than that to have any fantasy value. Couturier has actually gotten significantly more playing time than that in each of his first five contests, but the Flyers decision to call up Brayden Schenn might be hurting Couturier. If Schenn sticks with the team, the Flyers might even decide to send Couturier down to the QMJHL where he'll get more minutes. Keep an eye on this situation.

Sean Couturier registered his first career goal in Tuesday's 7-2 blowout win over Ottawa. He also added an assist in the game to give him three points in five contests. Couturier has displayed a strong two-way game since making the Flyers out of training camp, but there's a chance that he may still be returned to the junior ranks shortly.

Sean Couturier was involved in all five of the Flyers' penalty kills. That's not the kind of news that typically excites fantasy owners, but it's still an indication that the Flyers trust Couturier, even in his NHL debut. Couturier logged 14:04 minutes of ice time, which isn't bad for his first game. We would caution against scooping him up in standard fantasy leagues, but don't hesitate to take him in keeper leagues.

Sean Couturier will open the 2011-12 season on Philadelphia's third line. Brayden Schenn has been demoted to the minors, on what appears to be a temporary salary cap basis, so Couturier will make his NHL debut on Thursday night in Boston against the defending Stanley Cup champions. If the top-six forward group from Tuesday's practice remains unchanged then he will be between Matt Read and Scott Hartnell in Philadelphia's regular season opener.

Philadelphia might be leaning towards starting the season with rookie Sean Couturier on their roster. "I think the more time Sean spends here, the better it is for him - and the Flyers, in the long run," said Flyers GM Paul Holmgren on Wednesday. "He would get to play a tempo that he wouldn't get if he was to be sent back [to juniors]. To be able to skate with NHL players on a daily basis, work with them in the weight room, all of those things are good for him. And seeds can be planted on what he needs to work on." Couturier can always be returned to junior if he isn't prepared for full-time NHL action, but his salary cap hit of $1.375 million could be a potential roadblock. Stay tuned.

Sean Couturier has inked a three-year, entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The eighth overall pick in the 2011 draft scored in his preseason debut on Tuesday night against Toronto and now he has more to celebrate after signing his first professional deal. Couturier should still be considered a long shot to crack the Flyers' roster out of training camp.