The problem here is that you are way underselling Couturier's potential. And I'll repeat what has been said previously. Laughton in terms of potential, is not close to Couturier.
- MJL

Fine! Even if he turns out better than I hope we have ggggggggggggggg. So at complete best cooter is #2 center. Name one #2 center besides malkin in NHL you'd rather have than a true #1 puck moving pp 25 minute a night dman?

Give me a list of people whose names don't end with "hea Weber" who you would define as a #1D. All I can think of:

Letang - no way never not in a million years would Pitt trade him our way for anything short of Giroux.
Chara - no way Boston ever lets him go
Karlsson - foot and leg not working right now.
Doughty - possible, but long shot, esp. after last postseason
Keith - long shot, but possible
Suter - no way Minnesota gives him up after the signing
Subban - signed to brand new super cap-friendly hit.
Pietrangelo - almost impossible to pry away due to cap situation
Carlson - I would see if the Caps are looking to deal. They might be looking to bolster the offense. Also, we should already have him
Green - do not want, overrated.
Bogosian - probably your best bet.

The only 2 players the Flyers might be able to get would be Carlson and Bogosian, unless there's another one I'm forgetting.
Also, I would not trade Couturier for any of these players except for Letang, Chara, or Doughty.
- jmatchett

There are a number of players on that list, that I would not consider to be a #1 defenseman. Some never will be. Some might be in the future.

weiss is secretly one of my faves even though I hat the panthers. I think hes highly underrated.
- flyfan1212

i verily despise florida and probably don't realize how good weiss is.

Fine! Even if he turns out better than I hope we have ggggggggggggggg. So at complete best cooter is #2 center. Name one #2 center besides malkin in NHL you'd rather have than a true #1 puck moving pp 25 minute a night dman?
- SMS4016

Like I asked previously that you haven't answered. Tell me who that #1 defenseman is that we can trade Couturier for, and we'll talk.

He is lanky.. but so are most taller players who early in there careers.. Dougie Hamilton, the prodigal son of Boston, the lost son of Philadelphia, and the next Pronger/Lidstrom hybrid... is 6'5 193.
- jak521

Absolutely correct!
Pronger was 205 in his rookie year, eventually he played at 220
Primeau was also about 205 when he was drafted, he topped out at 225
hell if you look back at Chara's rookie season, he was listed at 225 which is pretty slender for a guy who is 6'9, he now goes somewhere around 260-265.

Couturier will probably top out around 215-220 and will be much stronger than he is now. It's only freaks of nature like Lindros, who come in at 19 already weighing 230 and strong as a bull.

There are a number of players on that list, that I would not consider to be a #1 defenseman. Some never will be. Some might be in the future.
- MJL

Okay, well, you said they need a #1 defenseman. Tell me who you think is a #1 that the other team would consider trading to us.

i verily despise florida and probably don't realize how good weiss is.
- OrangeBlack27

SCARY good

Fine! Even if he turns out better than I hope we have ggggggggggggggg. So at complete best cooter is #2 center. Name one #2 center besides malkin in NHL you'd rather have than a true #1 puck moving pp 25 minute a night dman?
- SMS4016

I dont get it.. You think Couts is slow, will only put up low level points, doesnt hit, etc. etc., but will get you a "true #1 pucking moving pp 25 minutes a night d-man?"

Here the deal.. there is no such thing as an untouchable player to me. G? I love'em (even though he has been arguably are most disappointing player thus far). BUT if the right trade came along.. sayonora

fleury is aweful
- flyfan1212

Hey I hate Pitt but his d failed him last year. Didn't look horrible when they won the cup or this year. And his team can actually play offense. And he bails them out most of the time ie fuhr withThe oilers. Space head bryz could never do that

It's not that bad. They just aren't great defensively, don't have a top-line winger, have trouble on the PP, and aren't scoring. Just minor things to fix, then on to The Cup.
- jmatchett

I'm every bit as worried about the offense as I am the defense for reasons you just pointed out. Coaching isn't the issue for me. Most nights I really feel Bryzgalov is our best player. I must feel it is a little premature to seem Giroux one of the best in the league. Even born Malkin and Crosby have a front line winger to help elevate both their games. I think it is a little premature to believe Couturier and Brayden Schenn can take on such large roles. Sure they're capable but you have to be able to follow up the next season after the last. Always easier said then done.

Okay, well, you said they need a #1 defenseman. Tell me who you think is a #1 that the other team would consider trading to us.
- jmatchett

No one.
Teams don't move #1 defenseman. If a cash strapped franchise like Nashville can match and keep Weber, the chance of any other team moving a guy like that is nil!

Okay, well, you said they need a #1 defenseman. Tell me who you think is a #1 that the other team would consider trading to us.
- jmatchett

I couldn't name a #1 defenseman that I think is available, and that the Flyers could get for Couturier.

Absolutely correct!
Pronger was 205 in his rookie year, eventually he played at 220
Primeau was also about 205 when he was drafted, he topped out at 225
hell if you look back at Chara's rookie season, he was listed at 225 which is pretty slender for a guy who is 6'9, he now goes somewhere around 260-265.

Couturier will probably top out around 215-220 and will be much stronger than he is now. It's only freaks of nature like Lindros, who come in at 19 already weighing 230 and strong as a bull.
- BiggE

Exactly. Some people think that if a guy doesnt come out 6'1''-6'5'' 200-230 and put up 30 goals and 42 assists while racking up 200 hits and skating like the wind during a typhoon... they are an automatic bust.

I dont get it.. You think Couts is slow, will only put up low level points, doesnt hit, etc. etc., but will get you a "true #1 pucking moving pp 25 minutes a night d-man?"

- jak521

Good point. Slight contradiction there.

does danny b have trade value?

There are a number of players on that list, that I would not consider to be a #1 defenseman. Some never will be. Some might be in the future.
- MJL

I don't think any of those players are available.

No one.
Teams don't move #1 defenseman. If a cash strapped franchise like Nashville can match and keep Weber, the chance of any other team moving a guy like that is nil!
- BiggE

I think the even more sobering reality is that they are so rare today, to have a d-man capable of truly standing out, teams (like you said) arent going to move them.

The big names for young guys are Pietrangelo and Karlsson. Outside of that, no young d-men truly stand out above the rest. MDZ, or Carlson, or Subban, or blah blah blah.. they are not #1 d-men.

I couldn't name a #1 defenseman that I think is available, and that the Flyers could get for Couturier.
- MJL

So, what is the best way to address that need? Draft to a position of need, consider this year and the next 2 a bust/rebuilding? Trade from a position of weakness and overpay ridiculously? Try to acquire a group of solid #3/4 defensemen and hope they can carry the load spread out?

Hey I hate Pitt but his d failed him last year. Didn't look horrible when they won the cup or this year. And his team can actually play offense. And he bails them out most of the time ie fuhr withThe oilers. Space head bryz could never do that
- SMS4016

Bryzgalov hasn't bailed his team out at any point this year I guess?

does danny b have trade value?
- mydoglicks

Yes, and a no movement clause.

Statement recap, please.

So, what is the best way to address that need? Draft to a position of need, consider this year and the next 2 a bust/rebuilding? Trade from a position of weakness and overpay ridiculously? Try to acquire a group of solid #3/4 defensemen and hope they can carry the load spread out?
- jmatchett

There's really only 4 ways to acquire a #1 defenseman. Draft a player and develop him into one, which takes years. Trade for one. Which the player has to be available, and you will drastically overpay, ala Pronger. Or sign one as UFA, which there has to be one available. Or go the OS route for an RFA.

I don't think any of those players are available.
- SuperSchennBros

Exactly!

Statement recap, please.
- Flyskippy

he no fight no score no hit cant skate.

Couts is a bust.

And I think something about Jsaq putting on weight, wearing an eye patch, and now staring in some hack movie. Idk, a bit confused.

Bryzgalov has been very good this year. And the Goaltender has zero to do with the team's offensive issues.
- MJL

Really? Lavy told to change system So forwards stay back instead of going on the offense. Hence every game 1 or 2 goals. Last couple years if our guys were Snakebitten we still had 3 or 4 goals or at least alot of scoring chances. This year squat