neither have i. i wish some people would see it, climb it, and leap from it though.
- hammarby31

Moorestown's own TJ Brennan looks to have cleared waivers and will be sent to the AHL.

From 22 minutes a night to AHLer in one fell swoop
- Jsaquella

That's what happens when your team has way too many viable defensive prospects.

nothing i posted would even suggest i expect him to be even close to giroux. so no i dont expect that at all.

i dont think he ever sniffs anywhere close to 60 points. dont even think he gets 50 this year.

does he make any of his linemates better offensively? does he have the potential to make them better offensively?
- rinaldo

Not saying you in particular.

Yes, he does make his linemates better and has the potential to make his linemates better.

He almost broke 40 last year, spending most of the year with an ineffective Downie or Lecavalier on his line. With Simmonds and Read, in a less restrictive role, I think 50 is definitely possible.

That's what happens when your team has way too many viable defensive prospects.
- mcefalu

I just remember somebody saying the Flyers should have grabbed him, that he was playing 22 minutes a night for the Isles.

nothing i posted would even suggest i expect him to be even close to giroux. so no i dont expect that at all.

i dont think he ever sniffs anywhere close to 60 points. dont even think he gets 50 this year.

does he make any of his linemates better offensively? does he have the potential to make them better offensively?
- rinaldo

The addition of Simmonds to his line and even a slight increase in offensive zone starts should get him to 50 pts relatively easily. Although the aforementioned factors will have to remain consistent for that to happen. I'm not worried about a bump in his offensive production this year, provided he stays healthy.

Renaud Lavoie @renlavoietva · 3m 3 minutes ago

Waivers: SHANE O'BRIEN FLO CAM JANSSEN N.J PETER HARROLD N.J STEVE BERNIER N.J ZAC DALPE BUF CHRIS MUELLER NYR

JERRY D'AMIGO CBJ $41,250 STEVE OLEKSY WSH PETER BUDAJ WPG STEPHANE VEILLEUX MIN CODY ALMOND MIN

FRAZER MCLAREN TOR KORBINIAN HOLZER TOR COLTON ORR TOR ZACH BOYCHUK CAR TAYLOR DOHERTY S.J RYAN HAMILTON EDM

JEFF SCHULTZ L.A ADAM CRACKNELL L.A
- Jsaquella

Any interest in D'Amigo?

Not saying you in particular.

Yes, he does make his linemates better and has the potential to make his linemates better.

He almost broke 40 last year, spending most of the year with an ineffective Downie or Lecavalier on his line. With Simmonds and Read, in a less restrictive role, I think 50 is definitely possible.
- Jsaquella

it is possible. maybe him and simmonds dont work well.

how does he make them better offensively?

I just remember somebody saying the Flyers should have grabbed him, that he was playing 22 minutes a night for the Isles.
- Jsaquella

There were quite a few Hawks fans who were frightened that he would be claimed on waivers and what an awful thing that would be.

I was like, please go back and look at the long list of viable defensive prospects Stan Bowman has at his disposal.

it is possible. maybe him and simmonds dont work well.

how does he make them better offensively?
- rinaldo

Because his name isn't Steve Downie. Here's some visual help:



The guy to the far right is Couturier. The other guy is Read. The big thing dominating the picture is Steve Downie.

it is possible. maybe him and simmonds dont work well.

how does he make them better offensively?
- rinaldo

Sure it's possible, but that ignores the key point-if Couturier can score 40 in one of the most defensively restrictive roles in hockey, getting more offensive opportunity should lead to more points.

That's what you seem to be ignoring or not seeing. The guy was used in such a heavily defense first role, scoring almost 40 points was very impressive. If he's used in a less defensive role, it stands to reason he'll have more points.

There were quite a few Hawks fans who were frightened that he would be claimed on waivers and what an awful thing that would be.

I was like, please go back and look at the long list of viable defensive prospects Stan Bowman has at his disposal.
- mcefalu

I was surprised he was part of the deal, TBH. I do like Pokka for the 'Hawks. In a few years he might be as good as Leddy is now

Sure it's possible, but that ignores the key point-if Couturier can score 40 in one of the most defensively restrictive roles in hockey, getting more offensive opportunity should lead to more points.

That's what you seem to be ignoring or not seeing. The guy was used in such a heavily defense first role, scoring almost 40 points was very impressive. If he's used in a less defensive role, it stands to reason he'll have more points.
- Jsaquella

- Giroux_Is_God

I prefer the I don't read monkey

- Giroux_Is_God

Not surprised that he does. In his reality, they're not out of ideas.

Sure it's possible, but that ignores the key point-if Couturier can score 40 in one of the most defensively restrictive roles in hockey, getting more offensive opportunity should lead to more points.

That's what you seem to be ignoring or not seeing. The guy was used in such a heavily defense first role, scoring almost 40 points was very impressive. If he's used in a less defensive role, it stands to reason he'll have more points.
- Jsaquella

not ignoring or not seeing anything. we can revisit this in 6 months.

also if he is placed into more of an offensive role wouldnt it be possible he will be playing against better defensive minded players as well?

Sure it's possible, but that ignores the key point-if Couturier can score 40 in one of the most defensively restrictive roles in hockey, getting more offensive opportunity should lead to more points.

That's what you seem to be ignoring or not seeing. The guy was used in such a heavily defense first role, scoring almost 40 points was very impressive. If he's used in a less defensive role, it stands to reason he'll have more points.
- Jsaquella

I don't see a lot of imagination with him... and he lacks that one superlative trait in the ozone that can help break down the defense. His play on the PP also doesn't seem to suggest that he'll see an increased role there any time soon.

The guy that I actually feel has the most repressed offense in his stick is Read. I feel Couturier's probably holding him back, more than vice versa.

I was surprised he was part of the deal, TBH. I do like Pokka for the 'Hawks. In a few years he might be as good as Leddy is now
- Jsaquella

Yeah and hopefully more defensively sound. I think Hawks are really banking on TVR pushing for a spot really soon. They certainly have lots of options in the next year or two.

not ignoring or not seeing anything. we can revisit this in 6 months.

also if he is placed into more of an offensive role wouldnt it be possible he will be playing against better defensive minded players as well?
- rinaldo

Could be, but wouldn't that take the defensive pressure off of G-Voracek and Schenn? Sounds like it would be beneficial either way.

I don't see a lot of imagination with him... and he lacks that one superlative trait in the ozone that can help break down the defense. His play on the PP also doesn't seem to suggest that he'll see an increased role there any time soon.

The guy that I actually feel has the most repressed offense in his stick is Read. I feel Couturier's probably holding him back, more than vice versa.
- Tomahawk

I dont see the creativity some have, but I do think that he can be a consistent 50-60 point guy.

I also think his confidence needs to be stoked, because three years of being more or less pigeon holed as Steve Kasper can rob a bit of flair.

Could be, but wouldn't that take the defensive pressure off of G-Voracek and Schenn? Sounds like it would be beneficial either way.
- mcefalu

if he shows some offensive pop then it probably would yes. as then you have to worry about him as well. i dont see any team saying to themsleves we need to shut down #14 line is all.

I don't see a lot of imagination with him... and he lacks that one superlative trait in the ozone that can help break down the defense. His play on the PP also doesn't seem to suggest that he'll see an increased role there any time soon.

The guy that I actually feel has the most repressed offense in his stick is Read. I feel Couturier's probably holding him back, more than vice versa.
- Tomahawk

Couturier will never be a flashy player. Offensively, he's a big bodied player with a N-S game. He's a guy who can get the puck, use his body to shield checkers, and get a shot off. But I don't think you'll ever see him dangle regularly.

Couturier will never be a flashy player. Offensively, he's a big bodied player with a N-S game. He's a guy who can get the puck, use his body to shield checkers, and get a shot off. But I don't think you'll ever see him dangle regularly.
- jmatchett383

his shot is weak as can be.

his shot is weak as can be.
- rinaldo

...moving right along...

his shot is weak as can be.
- rinaldo

Definitely disagree with this. Couturier's wrist shot is extremely underrated. I don't think he uses it nearly enough and so people think it's not a strength.

EDIT: Here is a decent example - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJCuk2StSM

not ignoring or not seeing anything. we can revisit this in 6 months.

also if he is placed into more of an offensive role wouldnt it be possible he will be playing against better defensive minded players as well?
- rinaldo

Possible, but his line wouldn't draw the focus that Giroux's line would draw, and honestly, even facing better defensive players would still likely increase the amount of time Couturier's line would have with the puck, since generally the guys he's faced over his career are really dynamic an drive the play well, and generally possess the puck a good deal of the time.

it's a double edged sword. He's still going to be centering the top defensive line, but he should get more offensive opportunities. I think a lot of it will boil down to usage. If he's still at 40% D-zone starts & only getting 20% O-zone starts, as he did last season, it will be hard for him to increase his offense.

If he's getting a more balanced mix, say 30% zone starts in each zone, he should be able to provide more offense.