Couturier carries a large defensive burden. I think that stating that's what Berube thinks, is off base. Couturier couldn't score at Bergeron's level if had a majority of OZ starts. He's not as fast or as skilled as Bergeron is. All Berube is saying is that Couturier can score, and has room for improvement offensively. Nothing more.
- MJL

So this is factual?

What I know is that Couts had an injured Matt Read and a completely unproductive and injured RJ Umberger as line mates for the majority of the season, had one of the worst offensive/def zone discrepancies in the league, played on the 2nd PP unit, and yet still had 37 points.

So with Marchand and Smith, playing in a more offensively conducive situations, and getting top PP... you dont think he could have put up 15 more points? 2 extra points per month?

I agree with a lot of this, but disagree that Giroux's not suited for the Captaincy. There was no problem with him wearing the C when he basically carried the team on his back to the playoffs last season, and if Simmonds and Voracek are such great leaders on their own merits, why wasn't it evident this season?

Adding respected veteran leadership would definitely be a help, but I have no issue with Giroux as the captain. I don't think that is an issue at all.
- Jsaquella

I have no issues with him as the captain either. I've seen nothing but quality signs of leadership from him. Minus the ass grabbing which some might see as immature but who hasn't gotten a little too drunk and grabbed some ass??? Amirite??

Cool, didn't know you traveled with the team or are in the locker room because if you are not exactly how do you know if a player is suited for being a captain or not?

Couturier, Read and Schenn having down years.. Yup , on Giroux.
Homer stacking our defense with first pairing dmen, Giroux's leadership.
Mason getting hurt, also on his not being suited to be captain.
- opeth_pa

BSchenn set a career high in points, outscoring Zibanejad, Galchencyuk, Lucic, Soderberg, J Jokinen, Brouwer, Stafford, Henrique, Frolik, Williams, and Perron among others.

Thanks Bill. Some of the inside info. helps us understand what, and how the coach thinks. I disagree with how Chief may handle his players. Every player is different in how he is motivated. Many times, negative reinforcement creates some form of resentment. Publicly calling out players to me, is not a creative way to motivate a player. Would you want to be called out at your work place? I would rather he state the team problems in a team fashion. Then, behind the scenes assist each player, and show him how he wants the player to play his brand of hockey. If the player fails to respond, then try other methods, or trade him. Maybe the player just doesn't fit the team mold.
It's great the Bryz is still hanging out in the Philly area. I really didn't mind his interesting way of looking at the World, but to me, he is an example of a player not fitting in with the team; personality wise, and playing style.
Now, the leadership issue is an interesting one. It will be interesting who Hexy will bring in to fill that void. I know that V-check maybe one of those leaders, but I don't think that he can do that by himself. G seems to be a silent leader, and one who lets his actions speak out on the ice. I think that this team needs a "Pronger" type leader that will be willing to approach players, and be someone to lean on during the tough times; one that brings confidence into the locker room.
Anyway, Hexy has his work cut out for him.

No, but when many are calling for him to be traded and calling him a bust who has "no hands", that he will be nothing better than a 3rd line center. I take umbrage with that.
- MBFlyerfan

Yup and that certainly isn't me.

I believe this team will be significantly better off if Couturier , Read and Schenn all have bounce back years.

I believe this team is better having Couturier on it because not every team has a defensive center like him.

If I could move him as part of a package for a significant upgrade some place else I would.

BSchenn set a career high in points, outscoring Zibanejad, Galchencyuk, Lucic, Soderberg, J Jokinen, Brouwer, Stafford, Henrique, Frolik, Williams, and Perron among others.
- Feanor

Yes and prior to the streak he and Couturier went on when they were eliminated would anyone have said they had good years?

You can be a Berube and ignore stuff like linemates and usage when considering a player's offensive output, but I feel the need to live in reality and understand that he was never given an opportunity to produce.

- PhillySportsGuy

Because that is what I have done with Couturier, Read and Schenn all year..

Been a Berube, you are right...


Save us Sean Couturier, you are our only hope.

Yup and that certainly isn't me.

I believe this team will be significantly better off if Couturier , Read and Schenn all have bounce back years.

I believe this team is better having Couturier on it because not every team has a defensive center like him.

If I could move him as part of a package for a significant upgrade some place else I would.
- opeth_pa

Yup and I never said it was.

I'll say it, because it needs to be said.

Sean Couturier will score 55+ points next season. Factually prove to me that it won't happen.

I'll say it, because it needs to be said.

Sean Couturier will score 55+ points next season. Factually prove to me that it won't happen.
- jmatchett383

You can't factually prove an opinion

Milbury gets interviewed locally. Speaks of Mason.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...ckey-analyst-mike-milbury

Because that is what I have done with Couturier, Read and Schenn all year..

Been a Berube, you are right...


Save us Sean Couturier, you are our only hope.

- opeth_pa

Look man, no one is saying those three had good years. The difference is that we don't feel this is the best Couts has to offer. He's 22 and already a good player.

FWIW my draft board for the flyers first pick is as follows:
1. Mcdavid
2. Eichel
3. Marner
4. Provorov
5. Strome
6. Hannifan
7. Barzal
8. Zacha
- JFlyers00

mine has changed a few times

1 Connor McDavid
2 Jack Eichel
3 Noah Hanifin
4 Dylan Strome
5 Mitch Marner
6 Ivan Provorov
7 Mikko Rantanen
8 Mathew Barzal

I'll say it, because it needs to be said.

Sean Couturier will score 55+ points next season. Factually prove to me that it won't happen.
- jmatchett383

Sure just as soon as I can prove to you that factually it wont happen =)

Milbury gets interviewed locally. Speaks of Mason.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...ckey-analyst-mike-milbury
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah, look at the Ottawa game, you know, when they were playing out the string he had a rough game.

Look man, no one is saying those three had good years. The difference is that we don't feel this is the best Couts has to offer. He's 22 and already a good player.
- PhillySportsGuy

Like I said..to this point he has been a really good shut down 3 line center.
To this point..Maybe he turns into the next Bergeron and maybe he stays what he is.
Saying anything else is just opinion.

BSchenn set a career high in points, outscoring Zibanejad, Galchencyuk, Lucic, Soderberg, J Jokinen, Brouwer, Stafford, Henrique, Frolik, Williams, and Perron among others.
- Feanor

Add kreider, craig smith, marchand & cammaleri to that list.

You can't factually prove an opinion
- TheGreat28

I never said it's an opinion. It's stated as a fact. Disprove it.

Sure just as soon as I can prove to you that factually it wont happen =)
- opeth_pa

I asked first.

Edit: Wait....you're going to factually prove to me that it won't happen as soon as you can prove to me that factually it won't happen?

Like I said..to this point he has been a really good shut down 3 line center.
To this point..Maybe he turns into the next Bergeron and maybe he stays what he is.
Saying anything else is just opinion.
- opeth_pa

I think my biggest issue in the Couturier debate is usage. He's always been given a very heavy defensive role and for a developing player, that can have a negative impact.

This past season he didn't just have a heavy defensive burden, he has the heaviest in the NHL. He's the only guy in the whole league with over 1000 ES minutes played that was sub 40% OZ starts.

Yes, he had opportunities that he failed to convert on and could have done a better job finishing, but to suggest he's been given the opportunity to even be a guy like Bergeron is false.

Mason said that he regards the continued lack of respect he gets around the league -- from NBC's Mike Milbury calling him a run-of-the-mill goaltender and Jeremy Roenick saying the Flyers need an upgrade on someone who ranked third in the league in save percentage to Pierre LeBrun
excluding him from the top nine candidates worthy of Vezina Trophy consideration -- as motivation heading into the offseason.

smh...so irrelevant...it boggles my mind that this is even mentioned

Let's apply Berube logic to Berube:

Good coaches get their teams in the playoffs. Period. The players aren't an excuse. Injuries aren't an excuse -- battle through it.
- Feanor

lol

Google doodle today is a playable Pony Express game

I think my biggest issue in the Couturier debate is usage. He's always been given a very heavy defensive role and for a developing player, that can have a negative impact.

This past season he didn't just have a heavy defensive burden, he has the heaviest in the NHL. He's the only guy in the whole league with over 1000 ES minutes played that was sub 40% OZ starts.

Yes, he had opportunities that he failed to convert on and could have done a better job finishing, but to suggest he's been given the opportunity to even be a guy like Bergeron is false.
- Jsaquella

My issue really is not his usage per se.

1. I think that Couturier can score more with better wingers and more offensive opportunities. But I don't think it's exponential. I want a 2nd line that can truly take pressure off of G, that would be a threat to score whenever they're on the ice. I want a Danny Briere type line circa 2010. I don't see Couturier being that guy.

2. Even if he can assume more offensive responsibility, then there is likely to be a negative impact on Defense overall. In other words, start Couts more in the OZ and someone has to start less in the OZ and more in the DZ.

3. I don't think Laughton is as strong of a shut-down center as Couts. That is not a knock on Laughton. It's more a statement that Couturier is that good.

To me, the strongest lineup would be with an upgrade at 2C and Couturier in the 3C spot. I personally would take him at 3C over anyone in the league at this point.

Like I said..to this point he has been a really good shut down 3 line center.
To this point..Maybe he turns into the next Bergeron and maybe he stays what he is.
Saying anything else is just opinion.
- opeth_pa

This 2nd line/3rd line thing is stupid anyway. The team should be looking at add forwards so they can just roll their top 3 lines freely without much thought. I don't believe teams should focus as much on forward match ups until the playoffs.

Couts can be a good middle six player no matter what you ask of him. Just don't expect him to produce a ton of points if you're going to use him like John Madden.