Well said. A lot of fans when looking at forwards, only think abut the offensive side of the puck. And how many goals and assists the player will rack up. Instead of the all around game and the other areas of play that are so important to winning. A player that can put up points, while also being able to check any teams top line or top player, and play in any situation. Is an incredibly valuable player in this League. Much more valuable then a strictly offensive player. Unless that player is an offensive superstar such as a Malkin or Stamkos.
- MJL

I went into last season rating Schenn slightly higher than Couturier, so it's not impossible to flip flop. I'm happy both wear the orange and black

I'd call you crazy, but I agree with you.
- Jsaquella

Same here, man.

Probably won't happen this year, but I would like to see Coots play with better offensive wingers more regularly. The best winger he played with this year was Read for a couple of games, and they played well together. Wouldn't mind to see Coots centering Simmonds and Read, think it would be a pretty good shut down line with some offensive punch (assumes Hartnell gets paired with G and Voracek).

Well said. A lot of fans when looking at forwards, only think abut the offensive side of the puck. And how many goals and assists the player will rack up. Instead of the all around game and the other areas of play that are so important to winning. A player that can put up points, while also being able to check any teams top line or top player, and play in any situation. Is an incredibly valuable player in this League. Much more valuable then a strictly offensive player. Unless that player is an offensive superstar such as a Malkin or Stamkos.
- MJL

I'm don't think i'm totally fixated on the offensive side of the puck, the points are nice (and needed)... but to me Schenn brings speed, intensity, and physicality that I don't see coots bringing. In Lavy's system i think schenn has the ability to be a more dangerous player, and yes, especially on the forecheck. In a system like NJ I'd imagine Coots would be dominant.

Probably won't happen this year, but I would like to see Coots play with better offensive wingers more regularly. The best winger he played with this year was Read for a couple of games, and they played well together. Wouldn't mind to see Coots centering Simmonds and Read, think it would be a pretty good shut down line with some offensive punch (assumes Hartnell gets paired with G and Voracek).
- ravishingone

i like the sound of that

so schenn-briere-talbot?

i like the sound of that

so schenn-briere-talbot?
- Crimsoninja

Well, that's why I don't think it happens this year because of Briere still on the roster. I lean towards Briere being bought out at the end of the season as others. My general point is that Coots really hasn't had the opportunity to show his offensive skills when he pretty much has played with the following wingers: Shelley, Rinaldo, Talbot, Wellwood, Knuble (he has played a few games at different times with Voracek and Read, but not at the same time) - not exactly snipers.

Well, that's why I don't think it happens this year because of Briere still on the roster. I lean towards Briere being bought out at the end of the season as others. My general point is that Coots really hasn't had the opportunity to show his offensive skills when he pretty much has played with the following wingers: Shelley, Rinaldo, Talbot, Wellwood, Knuble (he has played a few games at different times with Voracek and Read, but not at the same time) - not exactly snipers.
- ravishingone

yeah briere does complicate things

yeah briere does complicate things
- Crimsoninja

Unfortunately, Danny B just isn't very effective on the wing. I believe Coots can be an extremely effective offensive center if you give him some wingers with skill. Simmonds was pretty much a checking winger in LA and Read has shown a very good two way skill with much needed speed on the wing. I really think this line could do some damage. It is apparent the Voracek is the best compliment to G on the roster right now with his ability to carry the puck opens up space for G. Hartnell will step in and do the dirty work along the boards.

Well said. A lot of fans when looking at forwards, only think abut the offensive side of the puck. And how many goals and assists the player will rack up. Instead of the all around game and the other areas of play that are so important to winning. A player that can put up points, while also being able to check any teams top line or top player, and play in any situation. Is an incredibly valuable player in this League. Much more valuable then a strictly offensive player. Unless that player is an offensive superstar such as a Malkin or Stamkos.
- MJL

I think you are underestimating Schenn as a player before we have seen his full potential. It's the NHL and many players have learned to clean up their own end of the ice sometimes later their careers.

I think you are underestimating Schenn as a player before we have seen his full potential. It's the NHL and many players have learned to clean up their own end of the ice sometimes later their careers.
- SuperSchennBros

All that is being said is that Couturier is showing more hockey sense in a more demanding role, right now. Nobody is saying that Schenn can't replicate his two way play from juniors. But Couturier has shown that he can be a shut down center at age 19. That's a pretty huge accomplishment.

There isn't a big pool to choose from. Timonen is 38. Grossmann and Coburn are what they are. Meszaros has some room to grow. But clearly in terms of future potential. Hands down Luke Schenn.
- MJL

Luke Schenn has time to reach his full potential but I am more likely to give Coburn the edge for now. Great skater for a player his size and I like his puck movement better then Luke Schenns. If it came down defending a lead or an offensive situation, I would choose Coburn over Schenn. Big Brother Schenn has played we'll but the jury is still out on him. I think Luke would be very lucky to become what Coburn already is, I just wish Coburn would cut down on the dumb penalties.

All that is being said is that Couturier is showing more hockey sense in a more demanding role, right now. Nobody is saying that Schenn can't replicate his two way play from juniors. But Couturier has shown that he can be a shut down center at age 19. That's a pretty huge accomplishment.
- Jsaquella

whereas coots played malkin perfectly in the playoffs and gets well deserved recognition for that brayden's 9 points in 11 playoff games goes pretty much unnoticed. offense is just as important as defense.

All that is being said is that Couturier is showing more hockey sense in a more demanding role, right now. Nobody is saying that Schenn can't replicate his two way play from juniors. But Couturier has shown that he can be a shut down center at age 19. That's a pretty huge accomplishment.
- Jsaquella

Then my response is simple. Both young players are placed in different roles. Couturier may never see another position outside of center. Schenn will probably bounce between center and wing his role career. Almost apples and oranges as to who will be the better player.

whereas coots played malkin perfectly in the playoffs and gets well deserved recognition for that brayden's 9 points in 11 playoff games goes pretty much unnoticed. offense is just as important as defense.
- moylander

How you perform under pressure is also equally important. Schenn is a big stage player.

whereas coots played malkin perfectly in the playoffs and gets well deserved recognition for that brayden's 9 points in 11 playoff games goes pretty much unnoticed. offense is just as important as defense.
- moylander

Offense is important, nobody's denying that. Both players did very well in the roles they were assigned. But Schenn's scoring wasn't as impressive as the job Couturier did on Malkin. For one, it was a high scoring series. Second, Schenn played with noted playoff scoring machine Danny Briere.

That's not to knock Schenn at all, because he played very well. I just think that Couturier's ceiling is a bit higher. In the fall of 2011, I felt the opposite. If Schenn keeps playing well offensively and improves in his own end, the pendulum can easily swing

Then my response is simple. Both young players are placed in different roles. Couturier may never see another position outside of center. Schenn will probably bounce between center and wing his role career. Almost apples and oranges as to who will be the better player.
- SuperSchennBros

If Schenn becomes a solid two way player, scoring 30 goals and 65 points a year, while Couturier is scoring 25 goals and 60 points, while playing Selke caliber defense, then I'd prefer Couturier.

Personally, I think this is Schenn's last season of bouncing between wing and center, because I think Briere is bought out this summer.

How you perform under pressure is also equally important. Schenn is a big stage player.
- SuperSchennBros

I'd say that a 19 year old kid, who held the league's MVP and leading scorer to a single even strength goal during a 6 game series that averaged 9.3 goals scored per game, is performing extremely well under massive pressure.

If Schenn becomes a solid two way player, scoring 30 goals and 65 points a year, while Couturier is scoring 25 goals and 60 points, while playing Selke caliber defense, then I'd prefer Couturier.

Personally, I think this is Schenn's last season of bouncing between wing and center, because I think Briere is bought out this summer.
- Jsaquella

There is still room for Schenn to bounce from center to wing no matter what the flyers choose to do with Briere. Sean Couturier can be a second line center. Read can player center. Talbot. It wouldn't be a reach to see Schenn continue to bounce.

I'd say that a 19 year old kid, who held the league's MVP and leading scorer to a single even strength goal during a 6 game series that averaged 9.3 goals scored per game, is performing extremely well under massive pressure.
- Jsaquella

I will continue to use the 2010/11 World juniors as an example.

There is still room for Schenn to bounce from center to wing no matter what the flyers choose to do with Briere. Sean Couturier can be a second line center. Read can player center. Talbot. It wouldn't be a reach to see Schenn continue to bounce.
- SuperSchennBros

If Briere's gone, Schenn is likely to be the second line center next year. Couturier will probably slot in as the third line center. I doubt Talbot plays scoring line center. Read might, but he'll probably stay on a wing unless there's injury.

I'm quite happy to have both, and just because I rate Couturier slightly higher today doesn't mean that won't change in 12 months. As I say, I had Schenn rated higher heading into last season, but Couturier's display of just pure hockey sense changed my mind. It's not a closed case that it will stay that way.

Offense is important, nobody's denying that. Both players did very well in the roles they were assigned. But Schenn's scoring wasn't as impressive as the job Couturier did on Malkin. For one, it was a high scoring series. Second, Schenn played with noted playoff scoring machine Danny Briere.

That's not to knock Schenn at all, because he played very well. I just think that Couturier's ceiling is a bit higher. In the fall of 2011, I felt the opposite. If Schenn keeps playing well offensively and improves in his own end, the pendulum can easily swing
- Jsaquella

Right now Giroux and Schenn are tied for second place in team points this season so far. Schenn has played a game less. Is Schenn playing impressively or is Giroux playing that badly this season. It might be somewhere in the middle...

I will continue to use the 2010/11 World juniors as an example.
- SuperSchennBros

I'm going to use their play in the NHL. There's lot of guys that dominate in the WJC that don't in the NHL.

If Briere's gone, Schenn is likely to be the second line center next year. Couturier will probably slot in as the third line center. I doubt Talbot plays scoring line center. Read might, but he'll probably stay on a wing unless there's injury.

I'm quite happy to have both, and just because I rate Couturier slightly higher today doesn't mean that won't change in 12 months. As I say, I had Schenn rated higher heading into last season, but Couturier's display of just pure hockey sense changed my mind. It's not a closed case that it will stay that way.
- Jsaquella

A bad line change by Couturier and Talbot on the pk against Buffalo says to me, I need to see Couturier do what he did last season again.

I'm going to use their play in the NHL. There's lot of guys that dominate in the WJC that don't in the NHL.
- Jsaquella

Do they do it alone? Schenn pretty much did...

Right now Giroux and Schenn are tied for second place in team points this season so far. Schenn has played a game less. Is Schenn playing impressively or is Giroux playing that badly this season. It might be somewhere in the middle...
- SuperSchennBros

Schenn's play has been impressive this year. No question about it. He's still had some issues defensively, making somewhat questionable reads. But he's been a very consistent physical presence and has certainly been one of the more consistent scorers for the team.