There is no question that the Flyers expected too much too soon but I think it had more to do with Briere spending along stretch out of the line up. Schenn and Couturier were going to have big roles anyway but Briere's injury made their roles even bigger. I don't think anyone here is giving them an F as far as grading. It was just a season to forget.

My concerns are faceoffs for both players. I'd like to get some off the weight off of Giroux in terms of faceoffs taken. From my understanding Couturier was a good faceoff man in junior, he's got to make that a specialty again. I thought he was much better at the dot his first season, then his second.

I think I might be in the minority that Brayden Schenn will be a better all around player then Sean Couturier but I feel all the pressure is on Couturier because many feel differently then I do. I feel Schenn can be the more physical player. I feel Schenn is more willing to go to the more dirty areas. I feel Schenn will be the more gifted offensive player. Couturier is easily by the far the better defensive forward but I feel Schenn could be better defensively then what he has shown.

I don't think you'll see as many fights from Sean Couturier. I think you'll see him get get pushed around and knocked off the puck easily for a little while longer but I'm sure that will change with confidence and building that tall lanky frame.

These are our center pieces along with Giroux. I wouldn't get rid of any of these guys for nothing! Not even Shea Weber.
- dingo8urbaby

Agreed. If I'm the Flyers, I commit to holding on to B Schenn for at least 2 more seasons to let him develop into the elite forward everybody saw when he was drafted 5th overall in 2009.

Ok, Was Datsyuk more important then Lidstrom?
- youarewrong

Lidstrom is one of the best players to ever play the game. Huge difference there.

You guys are throwing around a lot of names with big point numbers for what Couturier could be. I find most of them head scratching.

I'll be really happy if he becomes Guy Carbonneau.
- mayorofangrytown

There is so much talk of what is the value in a trade for Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier and Matt Read for a stud at his position. I think at this point the Flyers have to look at all options, not to say that they do not. Cousins with his league issues and Laughton possibly not meeting the expectations he was drafted at are areas we should consider if we really want to move on from a young player. Any young player.
- dingo8urbaby

Well maybe they should let Laughton play at least a few more games in the NHL before considering that he might not meet his potential.

There is so much talk of what is the value in a trade for Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier and Matt Read for a stud at his position. I think at this point the Flyers have to look at all options, not to say that they do not. Cousins with his league issues and Laughton possibly not meeting the expectations he was drafted at are areas we should consider if we really want to move on from a young player. Any young player.
- dingo8urbaby

Who says they are possibly not meeting expectations. If anything both have vastly exceeded expectations so far.

Laughton moved up 10 spots in the re-draft after making the team out of camp and being lauded as one of the best players in the OHL.

Cousins had some personal issues, but still went on to be a leader in points in the OHL..

If both B Schenn and Couturier both meet their potential. Couturier will be the better all around player by a significant margin.
- MJL

http://www.hockeysfuture....prospects/sean_couturier/

http://www.hockeysfuture....prospects/brayden_schenn/

They look pretty equal to me...but what do scouts know?

Figures the girl likes his heart... I like his shot, speed, and two way play.
- jak521

I notice any man who everytime he steps onto the ice MAKES me pay attention.
Haven't you figured out that women love INTENSITY?
Not stalkerish hanging on, but true look into your soul intensity (preferably directed at her)...
Wait we were talking about Read right?

Yeah. Remember Jones's dad played for the Nuggets and the first guy he went to when Seth told him he wanted to play hockey was Joe Sakic. And who's big with the Avs Management? Sakic. It's a great Hockey move, Fan move, AND PR move. Think about the temptation to bring in Nurse to Philly because of his Uncle McNabb. Now Multiply that by a lot. As far as I'm concerned it's chiseled in stone.
- flyler

That connection is overblown. Jones actually spent almost the entirety of his amateur playing days in the Dallas area. He was also born in Texas. The Stars probably have a stronger claim to him than the Avs, I would think.

Plus, Roy's connection to Mac, having seen what's he's capable of first-hand, would easily trump any feel-good ties to Sakic, if they felt Mac was BAP.

that needs to be bumped every page until the trade deadline next year
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Agreed.

I've been a strong advocate of the "Do Not Trade Couturier" stance. He's far, far too valuable a piece.

It would take a Subban, Pietrangelo or Doughty type for me to even consider the notion.

I've likened him to Patrice Bergeron, and stand by that. We'll see how the offensive game develops. But he should be part of a shutdown 3rd line this year (which is an upgrade from where he was 5-on-5 last season).
- bradleyc4

I think either he or Bourdon would have been, unfortunately they were both Hurt to start the year... and heck Bourdon was to finish it as well. Actually as MAB is still signed and is supposedly going to be ready for Camp, I'm interested in how he's going to fit into the mix. As far as I'm concerned that should push Gervais to 8th spot if MAB IS healthy and back in game shape.
- flyler

OMG, that's right! Gervais is signed for next season. HAHAHAHAHA

I notice any man who everytime he steps onto the ice MAKES me pay attention.
Haven't you figured out that women love INTENSITY?
Not stalkerish hanging on, but true look into your soul intensity (preferably directed at her)...
Wait we were talking about Read right?

- FlyersGrace

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/sean_couturier/

http://www.hockeysfuture....prospects/brayden_schenn/

They look pretty equal to me...but what do scouts know?
- wolfhounds

That's not scouts, that's Hockeyfutures.

Nice write up on Coots Bill. Thanks again!

As for all the Read trade talk... It makes me sad. That kid is one of my favorites. I just like his heart and his obvious desire everytime he's on the ice. Are there players more talented, or faster? Sure. And I'll cope if they trade him and I'll understand why he is leaving. But I'll miss him, no questions.
- FlyersGrace

The cap situation & his outstanding play are going to make Read too expensive at some point. But wherever he ends up, I predict he's going to be a captain. He's a good interview, he sizes up the game well and as you say, he's got heart. I think he's going to be a big time time leader somewhere.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/sean_couturier/

http://www.hockeysfuture....prospects/brayden_schenn/

They look pretty equal to me...but what do scouts know?
- wolfhounds

Personally.. I take the guy who plays the better two way game 10 times a week

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Couturier's Development and Future Potential
- bmeltzer

well done sir

(Guy Carbonneau showing how many playoff rounds he has won as coach)
- aightwebang17

Pardon his French...

Pardon his French...
- Flyskippy

- aightwebang17

i was waiting for this

dp

My main issue with this line of thinking is that using Couturier to fill one of those 5-6 holes opens a different hole, that of "top defensive center," which is pretty hard to fill itself.

If you have 5 holes, move a guy to fill one, and open a different one, what do you have? 5 holes. Only now, you have an older guy, who'll leave sooner, opening an additional hole faster.
- dilbert719

I disagree a defensive center is hard to fill. Just speaking from a defensive side, Zubrus is equal to or better then Couturier currently. Take potential out of the equasion and Zubrus would probally put up better numbers offensively and defensively. What Couturier brings to the table today, is easily replaced... you cant keep hoping for tomorrow.

Who says they are possibly not meeting expectations. If anything both have vastly exceeded expectations so far.

Laughton moved up 10 spots in the re-draft after making the team out of camp and being lauded as one of the best players in the OHL.

Cousins had some personal issues, but still went on to be a leader in points in the OHL..
- jak521

Did we have a camp this season?

I'm sorry, I re-read what you said...

From my understanding, until the world junior's, Laughton wasn't getting Power Play ice time until the better players went to play for their country.

That's not scouts, that's Hockeyfutures.
- MJL

What do you think it's based on?

Regardless, if both reach their potential, they are both going to be very valuable to their squads, and hopefully that's the Flyers.

I notice any man who everytime he steps onto the ice MAKES me pay attention.
Haven't you figured out that women love INTENSITY?
Not stalkerish hanging on, but true look into your soul intensity (preferably directed at her)...
Wait we were talking about Read right?

- FlyersGrace

Well maybe they should let Laughton play at least a few more games in the NHL before considering that he might not meet his potential.
- MJL

Maybe we should have allowed Peter Forsberg to play before trading both him and the farm for Eric Lindros. I'm not saying Scott Laughton doesn't have a chance to still become a good player but we have holes.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Couturier's Development and Future Potential
- bmeltzer

Excellent blog bill.

Your final statement is dead on: under no circumstances should Couturier be going anywhere unless we are getting a top pairing defensement back, period.