a. Another year in junior to let him develop and put on some size? However, does he really need another year dominating in the Q against 17 year olds?
b. He makes the Flyers. But then what? He plays 4th line center? Gets pushed to wing on the third line? Gets 5 minutes a game?
It is a tough decision. I personally would like him in the AHL, but the rules will not permit him in the AHL with a year of junior eligibility. So, I imagine he plays 10 games in Philly, sent back to Junior, makes the Canadian World Junior team, plays in the AHL playoffs after Junior. That sound about right?
With who? The Phantoms?
I think Holmgren is really high on Couts for his defensive game. I.e. if he makes the team, he'll probably see a lot of time on the PK and maybe time on the 2nd PP unit. I think that Couturier - Schenn - Simmonds could turn into a fantastic shutdown / energy line, lots of raw talent. Only problem is their experience.
I saw him in Canada's red-white game last month, the rookie game, the pre-season game vs the Leafs, and what I could see of last night's horrible stream.
I heard some say he wasn't impressive in camp which I didn't see, but I've liked what I seen from him except the rookie game where he didn't stand out much. I thought he looked better and better as the game went along vs the Leafs. He is skinny like JVR and Carter during their rookie seasons, but I think he wouldn't be out of place in the league like they weren't.
The difference between those two and Couturier is exceptional skating (especially in Carter's case). It's way easier to not be out of place when you're a fantastic skater (most important skill in all of hockey imo), and Couturier is not.
I really think Cooter (yes, I'm sticking with this name), will struggle big time if he makes the big club. He physically can't handle the players and he certainly can't outskate them.
I think I'm in the minority but I saw him in person twice so far this pre-season and I thought he looked really unimpressive. He is quite slow and very weak, and just doesn't look like he's ready to hang at the NHL level at all to me right now.
To me, he looks like JVR used to except that JVR at least had wheels. JVR has since bulked up and learned to use his body a bit, and is now very effective.
He does indeed need to bulk up, but don't you think being with an NHL trainer and nutritionist will spur that 100% more than going back to Drummondville to dominate 17 year olds? I agree he looked fairly average during camp, but in the games he's looked pretty good.
Remember he's essentially a defense first forward who sometimes needs to be reminded that he needs to contribute more offensively, and from what I've seen so far, he's been excellent defensively.
I'm not saying he's a lock to play this season in the NHL. I do absolutely think he should play 9 games to start the regular season and the team make a decision based off of that.
The difference between those two and Couturier is exceptional skating (especially in Carter's case). It's way easier to not be out of place when you're a fantastic skater (most important skill in all of hockey imo), and Couturier is not.
I really think Cooter (yes, I'm sticking with this name), will struggle big time if he makes the big club. He physically can't handle the players and he certainly can't outskate them.
I agree they are much better skaters, but I don't agree that Couturier physically can't handle the players. He is bigger than Brayden Schenn and no one has concerns about Schenn not being able to handle the physicality of the league.
One thing is this "fairly average during camp" thing that is going around. Not just from you sobrien but from other people. Now Im not saying he should or shouldnt make the team, but I have heard complete opposite from a bunch of people that have gone to the training camps. They have all positive things to say. The only thing they have said is his weight and getting pushed off the puck. His skill is easily NHL ready.
I agree they are much better skaters, but I don't agree that Couturier physically can't handle the players. He is bigger than Brayden Schenn and no one has concerns about Schenn not being able to handle the physicality of the league.
Schenn has the strength though. I saw Schenn putting people on their butts (during the rookie game especially) whereas I saw Couturier getting rubbed out easily.
Color me unimpressed with Couturier I guess. And that's nothing against him, I just don't think he's physically ready. He genuninely looks like a boy amongst men out there.
He'll be a good one, but I don't think now is the time.
One thing is this "fairly average during camp" thing that is going around. Not just from you sobrien but from other people. Now Im not saying he should or shouldnt make the team, but I have heard complete opposite from a bunch of people that have gone to the training camps. They have all positive things to say. The only thing they have said is his weight and getting pushed off the puck. His skill is easily NHL ready.
Oh no I agree, one of my arguments above for that is because he's paying so much more attention defensively, and that goes unnoticed when people are watching for flashy offensive plays. In terms of a good all-around hockey player that fits his scouting report, I'd say he's been very good. If someone was expecting 15 points from him out of the preseason and him putting on deke-and-dangle exhibitions, then obviously you were bound to be disappointed from the outset.
One thing is this "fairly average during camp" thing that is going around. Not just from you sobrien but from other people. Now Im not saying he should or shouldnt make the team, but I have heard complete opposite from a bunch of people that have gone to the training camps. They have all positive things to say. The only thing they have said is his weight and getting pushed off the puck. His skill is easily NHL ready.
Well that's the thing. One blogger tweeted from camp that he was pushed off the puck and everyone started to run with that as gospel when most people didn't see him in camp and there was little coverage of it. There's not been any indication the Flyers are unhappy with his play. In fact it seems like they are putting him in positions to succeed. Last night he was on the top line with JVR and Simmonds and he's been getting big minutes. I'll be surprised if he doesn't get at least a 9 game look.
Oh no I agree, one of my arguments above for that is because he's paying so much more attention defensively, and that goes unnoticed when people are watching for flashy offensive plays. In terms of a good all-around hockey player that fits his scouting report, I'd say he's been very good. If someone was expecting 15 points from him out of the preseason and him putting on deke-and-dangle exhibitions, then obviously you were bound to be disappointed from the outset.
I think it's his defensive play that is going to give him a chance to stick. His defensive awareness is advanced for a teenager. I could see him being used in a similar role that Jordan Staal was in when he was 18. Staal had a flukey year offensively so I don't expect that kind of offense from Couts, but I think he'll be a go to guy on the PK.
Send him back to Juniors with a specific workout and dietary regimine.
Lots and lots of Cote's Hemp and some chicken. And a workout plan probably helps, but I really think it would be beneficial to work him into the line-up for a few games, then send him back to Junior, give him a taste so he has a better idea of what he needs to do.
i absolutely see him getting an 8 game look. the question is what after that? stamkos wasnt ready and his coach even said so but proving himself against that level of competition made him rise to the occasion. a year of traveling and training with the team, getting used to the schedule, the overall speed of the lifestyle not just the game. so far i havent seen anything that says the kid cant make it
I think he'll get an 8 game look and then get sent back to juniors. That's what should happen anyway. A lot of younger players will look good for part of an NHL season and then fade later in the season due to things like schedule, strength, and endurance. Look at sbisa for example, he came out of the shoot playing very well, but by the second of the season he was noticeably worn down. Going back to juniors would have its advantages anyway. The flyers will give him a list of things to work on for next year and he'll still get to dominate and play in the wjc. That's a much better option than to stick him on the third line especially since the flyers have a laundry list of guys that they could stick in that third line wing role anyway.
I think he has been good but not good enough to have start his F/A clock ticking. I don't think he has shown more then Read or Holmstrom. He lack explosive speed from what I have seen.
Give him a year off from hockey. send hm to eat cows, learn to figure skate and lift with ben prentiss and gary roberts on alternating days. then bring him back next year and unleash your creation upon the league.
i absolutely see him getting an 8 game look. the question is what after that? stamkos wasnt ready and his coach even said so but proving himself against that level of competition made him rise to the occasion. a year of traveling and training with the team, getting used to the schedule, the overall speed of the lifestyle not just the game. so far i havent seen anything that says the kid cant make it
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyershockey
I think he'll get an 8 game look and then get sent back to juniors. That's what should happen anyway. A lot of younger players will look good for part of an NHL season and then fade later in the season due to things like schedule, strength, and endurance. Look at sbisa for example, he came out of the shoot playing very well, but by the second of the season he was noticeably worn down. Going back to juniors would have its advantages anyway. The flyers will give him a list of things to work on for next year and he'll still get to dominate and play in the wjc. That's a much better option than to stick him on the third line especially since the flyers have a laundry list of guys that they could stick in that third line wing role anyway.
A lot of people don't want to realize that the Flyers would have to make moves to have the Cap space to give Couturier a 9 game look. Those moves would be permanent due to waiver and recall issues. Why should they do that for 9 games? The only way they should do that is if they think Couturier will stay with the Flyers all Season. You can't ignore the Salary Cap.
The difference between those two and Couturier is exceptional skating (especially in Carter's case). It's way easier to not be out of place when you're a fantastic skater (most important skill in all of hockey imo), and Couturier is not.
I really think Cooter (yes, I'm sticking with this name), will struggle big time if he makes the big club. He physically can't handle the players and he certainly can't outskate them.
Michal Handzus couldn't skate as well and he turned out to be a fine player. The way Couturier has been playing, he's going to make the team. Say what you want about being a weak skater, but he always seems to be in the right place at the right time and that's something nobody can teach and it's something that doesn't have to do with being a good skater.
What sets Couturier apart is that he's incredibly intelligent and what ever physical skill he lacks, he makes up for it by the fact he's so smart.
At this point I'd say he's 60/40 to stay, and I would be shocked if he isn't around at least for the first 9 games.
I was disappointed with both him and Schenn in the rookie game, I expected those two to stand out and they didn't. Both have looked much better in the real games than the rookie game.
The whole 'he's not big enough, he's getting pushed around, and he can't keep up with the physicality of the NHL... So let's send him back to juniors!" Theory is really funny.
Players don't get sent back to juniors to beef up. Couturiers skill set is NHL ready. Yes he needs to put on some weight, grow into his frame and learn to use it more, but he's not going to get that in the Q dominating 16 and 17 year olds.
It IS indeed a dilemma. Because schenn is the one that has disappointed me, not couturier.
Carchidi says Couturier looks better than JVR did as a rookie.
People often forget that Couturier was the most dangerous offensive threat (in terms of PPG) in this draft as well as the single most notable defensive standout among the upper echelon forwards of his draft class.
The kid is a stud.
JVR is/was too, but I think all things considered, Couturier now would've gone 1st overall in 2007 no questions asked. It's arguable he should've gone 1st overall this year.
