It would hurt because he's played his whole career at center and is great there. You'd have to be a moron to even consider moving him to the wing.
- Feanor

Yeah, he's the one player on the team that I would never consider moving to another position.

My point was never say never. And, that it wouldn't hurt trying him there. And, to your point - winning games is more important. So, if moving Couturier to the wing would get them there... well. Do it. All I'm saying is Berube should keep his mind open to the line up.

Here's my reasoning...

If he's so good at defense as a center, he's not going to lose the ability to play defense if you move him to wing. Many teams line up some pretty good offensive lines versus Giroux's line, having Coots there won't be insane. (If Giroux gets kick out of the circle, Coots takes the draw).

Last year, both VLC and B.Schenn looked lost on wing. Would Coots be better - who knows? If Coots was on line 1 wing... That solves the problem of does VLC or Schenn play wing. VLC and Schenn both could play center at 2 and 3.

And, I'd only keep him there if other pieces came together. Both Bellemare and Laughton are potential two-way strong defensive forwards. Does a line of ??? (Maybe Raff)-Laughton-Bellemare form a better as a better shutdown line - in whole - than Read-Coots-Downie.
- leon neon

If you think Schenn looked lost at wing, then what did he look like at Center? This whole Schenn has played much better at center thing has really taken off. The stats just don't bear it out.

Well, better late than never.
- johndewar

Such an bumhole. He needed a cue from the Ravens, YES THE RAVENS, to be able to do the right thing. Such a reactive scumbag.

My point was never say never. And, that it wouldn't hurt trying him there. And, to your point - winning games is more important. So, if moving Couturier to the wing would get them there... well. Do it. All I'm saying is Berube should keep his mind open to the line up.

Here's my reasoning...

If he's so good at defense as a center, he's not going to lose the ability to play defense if you move him to wing. Many teams line up some pretty good offensive lines versus Giroux's line, having Coots there won't be insane. (If Giroux gets kick out of the circle, Coots takes the draw).

Last year, both VLC and B.Schenn looked lost on wing. Would Coots be better - who knows? If Coots was on line 1 wing... That solves the problem of does VLC or Schenn play wing. VLC and Schenn both could play center at 2 and 3.

And, I'd only keep him there if other pieces came together. Both Bellemare and Laughton are potential two-way strong defensive forwards. Does a line of ??? (Maybe Raff)-Laughton-Bellemare form a better as a better shutdown line - in whole - than Read-Coots-Downie.
- leon neon

Then who is your shut down center? Who plays against Crosby, Stamkos and other top lines? Who takes the defensive zone draws and assumes the immense workload Couturier carried the last few years?

The coach didn't trust Schenn or Lecavalier last season, and is it smart to move your superstar elite offensive guy to that role by moving your shut down center to his wing? I wouldn't even consider it for a second.

Such an bumhole. He needed a cue from the Ravens, YES THE RAVENS, to be able to do the right thing. Such a reactive scumbag.
- jmatchett383

The NFL completely botched this from start to finish.

Then who is your shut down center? Who plays against Crosby, Stamkos and other top lines? Who takes the defensive zone draws and assumes the immense workload Couturier carried the last few years?

The coach didn't trust Schenn or Lecavalier last season, and is it smart to move your superstar elite offensive guy to that role by moving your shut down center to his wing? I wouldn't even consider it for a second.
- Jsaquella

As has been said, gun to my head, I would move Giroux to wing before I moved Couturier to wing.

Roger Goodell. Making Gary Bettman and Bud Selig look good since 2011

As has been said, gun to my head, I would move Giroux to wing before I moved Couturier to wing.
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah, he just plays such a huge role and honestly there's nobody who can replace what he brings.

Yeah, he just plays such a huge role and honestly there's nobody who can replace what he brings.
- Jsaquella

We could always trade for Bergeron...

Yeah, he just plays such a huge role and honestly there's nobody who can replace what he brings.
- Jsaquella

He is arguably the second most important player on the roster IMO.

We could always trade for Bergeron...
- jmatchett383

Oh sure. And then play him on the wing.

Oh sure. And then play him on the wing.
- Jsaquella

Okay...trade for Toews.

He is arguably the second most important player on the roster IMO.
- MBFlyerfan

Obviously Giroux is the main piece. I'd say that an argument could be made for Mason, Couturier or Coburn as being second.

Okay...trade for Toews.
- jmatchett383

NUMBER ONE DEFENSEMAN

Yeah, he just plays such a huge role and honestly there's nobody who can replace what he brings.
- Jsaquella

Okay...trade for Toews.
- jmatchett383

who we shall play as our starting goaltender

Obviously Giroux is the main piece. I'd say that an argument could be made for Mason, Couturier or Coburn as being second.
- Jsaquella

I'd say it's Couturier. Mason and Coburn are important but replaceable. There may only be 3-4 guys in the league who could adequately replace Couturier.

Obviously Giroux is the main piece. I'd say that an argument could be made for Mason, Couturier or Coburn as being second.
- Jsaquella

They are the three I would argue about as well.

who we shall play as our starting goaltender
- BulliesPhan87

Stephane Bouregaard

Stephane Bouregaard
- jmatchett383

shut down defenseman

who we shall play as our starting goaltender
- BulliesPhan87

Bruce Hoffort.

Roger Goodell. Making Gary Bettman and Bud Selig look good since 2011
- Jsaquella

It's amazing how inept Goodell is. He has a couple of jobs. Work for the owners, and make sure the NFL is a cash cow.... The thing is Bozo the clown could accomplish both of these objectives. Goodell can't get out of his own way.

I hope the Ravens cutting Rice, doesn't take the heat of Goodell. I'm afraid it will though.

it wasn't a question guys, do you see a question mark in that post?

They are the three I would argue about as well.
- MBFlyerfan

You could make a valid argument for each.

For clarity's sake, I'm talking about replacing each with an in house guy.

In the case of Mason, emery could handle the short term hole, but I have doubts about him carrying the load for 55-60 games.

In the case of Couturier, Giroux could assume a bigger role defensively and I think Laughton could be a solid addition in some respects, but they'd really miss him on the PK and vs top competition.

In the case of Coburn, they'd have to rush a kid and even then playing 20-24 minutes a night, on the PK as the top defensive defenseman? Hoo boy. Also, I think that trading for a replacement for Coburn's role on the team right now would be the most expensive.

We've seen good goalies traded for a pittance, and there's some good defensive centers out there(not many who have Couturier's combination of age, hockey sense and potential) who could likely be had for relatively cheap, but you're not getting a big, mobile guy like Coburn without paying through the nose.

shut down defenseman
- BulliesPhan87

There's our top line LW. 143 goals, bank it.