Agreed

It is also remarkable that Couturier is a plus player this season.

As for Schenn, I would like to see more from him simply based on the fact he spends most of his time in the top 6 and on the first PP unit. But the same thing applies in the end, lets see what he is like at 25 or 26 before writing him off as not a 2nd line center.
- MBFlyerfan

My biggest worry with Schenn, outside of the lack of consistency, is that the stretches when he is playing well, he's just playing very good. There's no time I can recall where he'd have a shift or game or stretch of games where he showed he could take over and be an out and out game changer.

JvR is an easy comparison, even though I dislike it. But JvR would show flashes of dominance. He'd take over a game. It wasn't consistent and still isn't, but Schenn's never really shown as much as a window of that level of play.

Agreed

It is also remarkable that Couturier is a plus player this season.

- MBFlyerfan

Coots being +1 is remarkable when you see that Read is -7 and they play together 90% of the time.

My biggest worry with Schenn, outside of the lack of consistency, is that the stretches when he is playing well, he's just playing very good. There's no time I can recall where he'd have a shift or game or stretch of games where he showed he could take over and be an out and out game changer.

JvR is an easy comparison, even though I dislike it. But JvR would show flashes of dominance. He'd take over a game. It wasn't consistent and still isn't, but Schenn's never really shown as much as a window of that level of play.
- Jsaquella

To be honest, I think the one major difference is size. Schenn just isn't big enough to do that. Whereas JVR, you could see he was physically imposing himself on the game, using his size to his advantage.

great write up, Bill. I'd keep Couturier as an untouchable, but not Schenn. I wouldn't give up on Schenn just yet, but if the right offer comes along, bye bye baby Schenn

I see it this way. How old were players who were drafted in similar spots when they started putting it all together? Jake Voracek comes to mind.


We always forget he was REALLY young when he made the team. His development has run an opposite course than your "normal" development. He was a young kid who played defense like a seasoned vet, and we have to wait for his offensive game to come in to its own.

He is 22. If he still isn't producing at 25 or 26, then we have a problem. Patience is key.
- MBFlyerfan

Ok...so you're ready to slot him into the 2C role for the next 3 years? Look for other positions in the draft.

Patience is fine....and I get that. But no one is saying get the kid outta here. He still has a fine toolbox that this team certainly needs.

So for the record, you are stating that Couturier, BSchenn and Laughton will never be 2nd line centers in the NHL?
- Feanor

Laughton would be the most likely of the three IMHO. And sure, a coach could put them there, but that doesn't mean they are going to prosper in that role. Schenn is 23 and is what he is going to be. Coots does NOT have a finish. He just doesn't. I don't know what more we need to see. When he does score the goals are rarely pretty. Usually the ones he does score are weird ones that bounce in off of his face or were howlers that the goalie "wants back". Laughton has shown flashes of offense but again , he was projected as a third line center when they drafted him.

Ok...so you're ready to slot him into the 2C role for the next 3 years? Look for other positions in the draft.

Patience is fine....and I get that. But no one is saying get the kid outta here. He still has a fine toolbox that this team certainly needs.
- Just5

Get him a good healthy winger to play with and yes I am.

great write up, Bill. I'd keep Couturier as an untouchable, but not Schenn. I wouldn't give up on Schenn just yet, but if the right offer comes along, bye bye baby Schenn
- flyerscup2011

No one is untouchable. The team has missed the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years and not won a playoff round since 2012. While it would take one hell of a deal to move someone like Voracek, Giroux, Mason, and, to a lesser extent, Simmonds and Couturier, no one is untouchable.

Ok...so you're ready to slot him into the 2C role for the next 3 years? Look for other positions in the draft.

Patience is fine....and I get that. But no one is saying get the kid outta here. He still has a fine toolbox that this team certainly needs.
- Just5

If they're picking at 8-10, they won't get a guy who can step in immediately at 2C. Even Barzal, who after the top 5(McDavid/Eichel?Hanifin/Marner/Strome in whichever order) is my top pick, probably can't step right in as soon as next season.

Coots on the PP this year just worries me in regards to his offensive potential. He couldn't do anything right being in Jake's spot on the wall, when some of his perceived negative traits were mitigated in that situation (skating, strength). Is he thinking too much? Clearly that's an issue. But 4 years in the league, why aren't the gears turning faster?

Laughton would be the most likely of the three IMHO. And sure, a coach could put them there, but that doesn't mean they are going to prosper in that role. Schenn is 23 and is what he is going to be. Coots does NOT have a finish. He just doesn't. I don't know what more we need to see. When he does score the goals are rarely pretty. Usually the ones he does score are weird ones that bounce in off of his face or were howlers that the goalie "wants back". Laughton has shown flashes of offense but again , he was projected as a third line center when they drafted him.
- redcoat75

Most of the goals Coots has scored have been of the sniped variety. He has a great snap shot and can also pass pretty well.

he sucks, trade him for a good player

If they're picking at 8-10, they won't get a guy who can step in immediately at 2C. Even Barzal, who after the top 5(McDavid/Eichel?Hanifin/Marner/Strome in whichever order) is my top pick, probably can't step right in as soon as next season.
- Jsaquella

You're right they won't get that guy right away for next year. But I'm not going into the draft highlighting wingers like Crouse/Rantanen because our 2C spot is filled for years to come. Not at all.

To be honest, I think the one major difference is size. Schenn just isn't big enough to do that. Whereas JVR, you could see he was physically imposing himself on the game, using his size to his advantage.
- MBFlyerfan

And therein lies the problem with B. Schenn.
Size: average
Skating: average
Offensive skills: average
Hockey sense: average

I just don't see him ever being an "impact" player. Couturier, OTOH, could get stronger, put it all together, and up a 50 point Selke candidate. Schenn just doesn't show me anything special.

Coots on the PP this year just worries me in regards to his offensive potential. He couldn't do anything right being in Jake's spot on the wall, when some of his perceived negative traits were mitigated in that situation (skating, strength). Is he thinking too much? Clearly that's an issue. But 4 years in the league, why aren't the gears turning faster?
- Just5

I think he does sometimes overthinks things and sometimes rushes things. The SJ game had a clear example of this. Twice on one shift he had the puck on his stick in the slot and he looked like a poor man's Rinaldo with the puck. He clearly has skills, but I think he sometimes tries too hard and ends up making poor decisions.

If they're picking at 8-10, they won't get a guy who can step in immediately at 2C. Even Barzal, who after the top 5(McDavid/Eichel?Hanifin/Marner/Strome in whichever order) is my top pick, probably can't step right in as soon as next season.
- Jsaquella

Agreed. Honestly, after McDavid and Eichel, I think the only other guy who may be ready to step in immediately is Lawson Crouse. He has the size, speed and overall game to contribute right away IMO, but I don't think he has as high a ceiling as guys like Marner, Strome and Barzal. However the latter 3 could likely still use one more year in Junior before moving up to play with the big boys.

You're right they won't get that guy right away for next year. But I'm not going into the draft highlighting wingers like Crouse/Rantanen because our 2C spot is filled for years to come. Not at all.
- Just5

I'm always taking BPA with that top pick, maybe with the top 2 picks. If Barzal is their and he's your top ranked, you grab him, regardless of needs or strengths on the NHL roster.

And therein lies the problem with B. Schenn.
Size: average
Skating: average
Offensive skills: average
Hockey sense: average

I just don't see him ever being an "impact" player. Couturier, OTOH, could get stronger, put it all together, and up a 50 point Selke candidate. Schenn just doesn't show me anything special.
- BiggE

Like I said, Braydon Schenn reminds me of Sam Gagner. A good player, but nothing special. Not good enough to be a legit 2C, not a natural winger, not a bottom-6 guy. He doesn't seem to have a fit.

I'm always taking BPA with that top pick, maybe with the top 2 picks. If Barzal is their and he's your top ranked, you grab him, regardless of needs or strengths on the NHL roster.
- Jsaquella

R
A
N
T
A
N
E
N

Patience, Patience, Patience.
- ob18

You need to get a tatoo

No one is untouchable. The team has missed the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years and not won a playoff round since 2012. While it would take one hell of a deal to move someone like Voracek, Giroux, Mason, and, to a lesser extent, Simmonds and Couturier, no one is untouchable.
- BiggE

well that's pretty obvious, i mean if a team were to come calling with a clearly superior player or prospect and ask for couturier for him straight up, he's traded. I mean that he's a player that I want to keep as part of our core group going forward.

I'm always taking BPA with that top pick, maybe with the top 2 picks. If Barzal is their and he's your top ranked, you grab him, regardless of needs or strengths on the NHL roster.
- Jsaquella

I think you always have to take BPA with first round picks.

Agreed. Honestly, after McDavid and Eichel, I think the only other guy who may be ready to step in immediately is Lawson Crouse. He has the size, speed and overall game to contribute right away IMO, but I don't think he has as high a ceiling as guys like Marner, Strome and Barzal. However the latter 3 could likely still use one more year in Junior before moving up to play with the big boys.
- BiggE

Crouse could probably step in, because he's a good two way player and wouldn't necessarily be a weakness on a checking line. Some guys have trouble going from CHL top liner to NHL third liner, but I think he could do it and be solid at it.

I discussed my feelings on Crouse pretty in depth yesterday. I think he could be a very good player if used with guys like Giroux, but wouldn't necessarily elevate the play of guys like Schenn or Couturier.

I don't pass up a Barzal or Provorov for him.

Patrice Bergeron. An ideal 2nd line center in this league. Had 2 70 point seasons when he was 20 and 21 and since then is averaging a 60 pt season per 82 games.

Really like Coots' game but a Bergeron he is not nor will ever be. We have an excellent 3C for years to come though.

well that's pretty obvious, i mean if a team were to come calling with a clearly superior player or prospect and ask for couturier for him straight up, he's traded. I mean that he's a player that I want to keep as part of our core group going forward.
- flyerscup2011

That I would agree with, but it's not what you said. You said he was untouchable. Sorry if I misunderstood.