J. Staal vs. Couturier

[Sh00terMcGavin]

Who do you think ends up having the better career? Keep in mind I'm NOT asking who's better now.

[tony d]

Jordan Staal

[JVR21]

If both players stay on their respective teams for the majority of their careers, I think they'll end up with pretty damn similar numbers.

[Gudbranson4Prez]

Staal

[Blitzburgh87*]

Staal AINEC

[Wheatking]

Wasn't all the talk leading up to the draft about how Couturiers upside was a Jordan Staal type player? Until he shows more, I think I'll just stick to the original.

[Bruinsfan_37]

Jordan Staal

[YuioIklo]

I'm optimistic that Couturier will become better than Staal in the long run, although I have no idea. Staal hasn't peaked yet so it's hard to tell.

[Bryz4shiz]

Why is there no same option?

[bp spec]

I think Couts has a legit chance of getting as good, or even better than Staal. But it's tough to tell. Voted for Couts though. Maybe I voted with the heart and not with the brain, but time will tell.

[duffy9748]

I like Jordan Staal and think he is hell of a defensive player, but I gotta go with Couturier here. I know it is just two games, but he is making the league MVP look pretty average right now as a 19 year old. Let this kid put some muscle on and grow and the upside is through the roof. He'll be the guy who leads the Flyers in ice time for the next decade. One of the smartest players I have ever seen. Just wait til he gets some offensive linemates.

Edit: This isn't an overreaction either. If you watched Philadelphia all season long, you know that Couturier has played this well all season long.

[Confound]

Couts

[PhiladelphiaKessel]

Couturier but its close. I cant see Staal getting much better being stuck behind Crosby and Malkin in Pittsburgh. If Staal were on a different team getting 1st/2nd line minutes then id pick him

[avsfan09]

I can't believe there are so many votes for couturier. J Staal has shown more so far. Couturier has shown a lot of promise but he has a ways to go before he is considered in the same league as Staal.

[Grigo25*]

absolutely ridiculous poll. what would it be like if Jordan Staal had the hat trick last night instead of Couturier. this site, man. why did I even sign up

[PhiladelphiaKessel]

Originally Posted by avsfan09

I can't believe there are so many votes for couturier. J Staal has shown more so far. Couturier has shown a lot of promise but he has a ways to go before he is considered in the same league as Staal.

Originally Posted by CeciSaidTheBlindMan

absolutely ridiculous poll. what would it be like if Jordan Staal had the hat trick last night instead of Couturier. this site, man. why did I even sign up

You do realize the question was who will have the better career, not who is better now....

[Wheatking]

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaKessel

You do realize the question was who will have the better career, not who is better now....

It's tough to ignore that this poll started off as a landslide in Staal's favor. What has happened in the last 24 hours to make all the votes suddenly go Couturier's way? Coincidence? I doubt it...

[BillDineen]

Originally Posted by CeciSaidTheBlindMan

absolutely ridiculous poll. what would it be like if Jordan Staal had the hat trick last night instead of Couturier. this site, man. why did I even sign up

You probably should not have signed up. Reading comprehension is necessary.

[Jack de la Hoya]

Originally Posted by Wheatking

It's tough to ignore that this poll started off as a landslide in Staal's favor. What has happened in the last 24 hours to make all the votes suddenly go Couturier's way? Coincidence? I doubt it...

That's a fair point. On the other hand, the chief criticism of Couturier, in this thread and elsewhere, tends to revolve around his limited offensive upside.

I think that people who have seen him this year realize that he has strong offensive skills and insticts, as well as a stellar defensive game. To the extent that last night's game, however small as a sample size, created a counter-point, it isn't unreasonable to take into consideration.

In my opinion, Couturier's skill level is at or past Staal's at the same point. Staal was physically more developed--far stronger--but I really don't think it is a stretch to suggest that Couturier at least has the potential to surpass Staal as an all-around player.

[Fred Taylor]

I think Sean Couturier will end up being the better player and likely having the better career, especially since he'll have more offensive opportunity in his career than Staal has, and he's already amazing defensively.