His skating has come quite a way from his first year. It's definitely been a huge improvement.
- jmatchett383

According to multiple sources he is also the hardest working in the locker.. that will do wonders for him in the near future.

Cout's defensive game is on a completely different level than a guy like Bergeron or Handzus. I think that once he gains even more confidence in his defensive ability it will translate into offense over time. He has a scorching slap shot that he realllllyyyyyyy needs to use more often. I think we will see something from him that doesn't have a comparison in the NHL. But I'm just optimistic I guess lol.
- FlyersSteve118

Not completely sure what you're saying here. But Couturier is already one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL.

Cout's defensive game is on a completely different level than a guy like Bergeron or Handzus. I think that once he gains even more confidence in his defensive ability it will translate into offense over time. He has a scorching slap shot that he realllllyyyyyyy needs to use more often. I think we will see something from him that doesn't have a comparison in the NHL. But I'm just optimistic I guess lol.
- FlyersSteve118

I think you are wrong. Couts' defensive game is among the best in the league, and he just turned 21.


The big thing Couts needs to improve on is his face offs. If he can get up to around 53%, he will be right next to Bergeron.

Not completely sure what you're saying here. But Couturier is already one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL.
- MJL

One only needs to watch how he played this past weekend to see that.

Matched up primarily against Sidney Crosby, and completely shut him down.

A 50 pt 2 Way long center. Yea were in deep poop
- Just5

He only scored 50 points twice

I don't think he'll ever be as good of a scorer as Bergeron, or as...well, whatever Handzus is. I actually always thought he'd be more like Jere Lehtinen, which I think is the happy medium of the two (although he was a winger). Or maybe Michael Peca with 2 good knees.

Not completely sure what you're saying here. But Couturier is already one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL.
- MJL

Yeah that was a jumbled mess lol.

I'm saying that players like Bergeron and Handzus were never lights out against the Crosby's of the league at the age of 21. Cout's defensive ability and hockey sense are something really special that I haven't really witnessed before. If he can translate that into being a significant scoring threat, he will be a stand out in the NHL. Not a comparable.

Why does Downie have a roster spot on this team? I really liked their play over the weekend a great team effort, EXCEPT HIM. There has to be someone that would not play completely brainless on that 3rd line. I don't get it. Talbot for him?

Why does Downie have a roster spot on this team? I really liked their play over the weekend a great team effort, EXCEPT HIM. There has to be someone that would not play completely brainless on that 3rd line. I don't get it. Talbot for him?
- Girouxy

Please not this again lol. This is the every day argument on HB...

Please not this again lol. This is the every day argument on HB...
- FlyersSteve118

oh, i rarely read the comments, this has been killing me. i'm glad i'm not alone. That is all.

I don't think he'll ever be as good of a scorer as Bergeron, or as...well, whatever Handzus is. I actually always thought he'd be more like Jere Lehtinen, which I think is the happy medium of the two (although he was a winger). Or maybe Michael Peca with 2 good knees.
- jmatchett383

I look at his progression this season, and compare to other players of his age and development curve.

Couts is in an interesting position. He is big, 6'3 200+ lbs, and will probably top out around 215. Big guys take a few seasons to get their offense going (See:JVR)

To start his career he has really been put in situations where he doesnt need to be offensive. Its smart (albeit frustrating for us fans). A lot of players come out of CHL or NCAA and need to get some AHL time to work on their play away from the puck. Couts got that here. First as a 3rd/4th line tweener, and now as a full blown third line center. I look at what he has done since he was paired with Read and Downie/Raffl.

18 points in his last 27 games. Expanded over a full season? 57 points. And not to beat a dead horse, but he JUST turned 21.

Which line would you guys match coots against? I'd put him against the toews line

oh, i rarely read the comments, this has been killing me. i'm glad i'm not alone. That is all.
- Girouxy

He was actually very good on Saturday. He was the Steve Downie who was part of that Read-Couturier-Downie trio that got the team going. Sunday was the more frequent one. You're not alone on this, but at present, there's no better option, and we can only hope his play comes back around.

Yeah that was a jumbled mess lol.

I'm saying that players like Bergeron and Handzus were never lights out against the Crosby's of the league at the age of 21. Cout's defensive ability and hockey sense are something really special that I haven't really witnessed before. If he can translate that into being a significant scoring threat, he will be a stand out in the NHL. Not a comparable.
- FlyersSteve118

I don't think there is anyone you can really compare Cooter to. I think he is gonna surprise everyone when his offense starts to come around more. A big key to this will be supplementing him with good wingers which he has had to wait a while to get.

He is already pretty strong with the puck, think about how much better he could be with another 10-20-30 pounds on his frame. He sees a lot of stuff that I don't even see watching on a tv, its beyond impressive.

Yeah that was a jumbled mess lol.

I'm saying that players like Bergeron and Handzus were never lights out against the Crosby's of the league at the age of 21. Cout's defensive ability and hockey sense are something really special that I haven't really witnessed before. If he can translate that into being a significant scoring threat, he will be a stand out in the NHL. Not a comparable.
- FlyersSteve118

i was confused as well. He really is a special player.

Bill the time stamps should read EDT not EST now that we are in Eastern Daylight Time again.

Philly - 3
Chi - 2

Honestly, they just had the Olympic break, and then right off of that, their games were stretched out a little. I think Emery will get a game soon. But I don't see any reason why Mason should be tired.
- MJL

I agree, I'd rather have a slightly fatigued Mason starting his 3rd game in 4 nights over an ice cold Emery who hasn't played in weeks. I would look to start Emery against the Stars on Thursday instead.

I don't think he'll ever be as good of a scorer as Bergeron, or as...well, whatever Handzus is. I actually always thought he'd be more like Jere Lehtinen, which I think is the happy medium of the two (although he was a winger). Or maybe Michael Peca with 2 good knees.
- jmatchett383

I see Couturier as a modern day Guy Carbonneau, with a bit more offensive upside.

Which line would you guys match coots against? I'd put him against the toews line
- Just5

I'd imagine Toews, as that line has 2 perennial all stars and the good Versteeg. I'm guessing they'll match those lines, and try to get the Giroux line against the Shaw line, and put Schenn up against Zeus.

Bill the time stamps should read EDT not EST now that we are in Eastern Daylight Time again.

- nin9999

Damn, glad you caught that!

I almost went and reset my clock. That could have really (frank)ed my day up.

He was actually very good on Saturday. He was the Steve Downie who was part of that Read-Couturier-Downie trio that got the team going. Sunday was the more frequent one. You're not alone on this, but at present, there's no better option, and we can only hope his play comes back around.
- jmatchett383

I see Couturier as a modern day Guy Carbonneau, with a bit more offensive upside.
- BiggE

His offensive upside is what has me most excited about him.

Wait a few more seasons until he is more physically mature.

Look at how strong on the puck he is already. Its crazy.

I'd imagine Toews, as that line has 2 perennial all stars and the good Versteeg. I'm guessing they'll match those lines, and try to get the Giroux line against the Shaw line, and put Schenn up against Zeus.
- jmatchett383

I think that they should switch it up every now and than so Cout's can get both of the top lines frustrated lol.

I see Couturier as a modern day Guy Carbonneau, with a bit more offensive upside.
- BiggE

Guy Carbonneau had 5 straight 18+ goal, 45+ point seasons to start his career. Not sure I'd say Coots has more offensive upside. If he becomes 75% of Guy Carbonneau, I'd be thrilled.

I don't think he'll ever be as good of a scorer as Bergeron, or as...well, whatever Handzus is. I actually always thought he'd be more like Jere Lehtinen, which I think is the happy medium of the two (although he was a winger). Or maybe Michael Peca with 2 good knees.
- jmatchett383

I think those are two good comparisons, and I'd be happy with that. Although I think he has a chance to be better offensively then both Lehtinen and Peca were.