Yup, not playing Medvedev doesn't make sense for 2 reasons: he's better than Manning and he's not going to bring anything at the TDL if he's only played 10-20 games of NHL hockey. It's more than a little confusing.

Shot differential shows that you are going in the right direction, but all the shots in the world don't matter if there are no goals. And yes, I know you said he needs to produce more, and I think most on here agree. But basically, I don't care how many shots a player or his line take if none go in.
- jmatchett383

That ignores the other side of the puck, when looking at Couturier. He's out there against the other teams top line, in that game it was the Carter line, which is one of the best lines in hockey, and what the shot differential tells us is that they didn't spend all game with the puck in the Flyers zone defending, they were able to generate almost an equal amount of shots in the other direction. Certainly keeping the puck out of you're own net, is important.

Interesting enough, in the small sample of icetime, 2:29 at ES, that Couturier played with Gostisbehere, the shot differential was 7 CF to 1 CA. Small sample size, but what does that tell you?

My point is simply, give Couturier more O zone time away from other teams top lines, and play him some with Del Zotto, Streit, or Gostisbehere, and see what happens.

The conundrum for the coaching staff is using Couturier how they are, gives the team the best chance to win.

Looks okay to me, with 1 exception.

I know I'm biased, but I really don't like Nick Schultz. He just wasn't as bad as everyone else last year so we he was the best by default, which isn't saying much. This year, he's getting the "tough minutes" and doing an, at best, below adequate job. If you want to keep giving Manning his shot, then I don't agree, but at least there's a reason. There is no reason to keep putting Nick Schultz out there when Medvedev, in limited action, has looked better in most if not all facets of the game. Basically, I'd switch Schultz with Manning.
- jmatchett383

As much as Schultz has struggled this season, I'll take him over Manning. They aren't exactly loaded with experience on D right now and he does have nearly 1000 games under his belt. Also, he's still better than Manning.

This team blows.

Give it a couple years.

It really annoyed me that Manning was getting PP time against the Kings. Why not give that experience to Laughton, who has played the right point in lower leagues and has a nice, hard shot?

Here's the deal, if we want Couturier to score more, despite those who are sick of hearing about his usage and deployment, perhaps giving him some help. In the LA game, he played 29 total shifts in the game, 16 of which were zone starts, in which only 4 of those zone starts were OZ starts. He was matched up all game against the Carter line. Not only that, but he played most of the night at ES, with Schultz and Schenn as the D pairing behind him. Not exactly known as puck movers and offensive defenseman. Certainly, there are areas where Couturier can be better, such as finishing his chances, but tough to produce offense in that situation. The fact that he and his linemates can hold their own in shot differential, is pretty strong, and goes a long way towards winning.
- MJL

why does #14 the one who always needs the help. maybe his wingers are saying the same thing, they need help....leave 14 as the 3rd line center and stop this fantasy he will be a good 2nd line center.

he has a role, fills it well, so let him play that role. stop force feeding anything else upon him.

This team blows.

Give it a couple years.
- Just5

Insightful yet succinct

It really annoyed me that Manning was getting PP time against the Kings. Why not give that experience to Laughton, who has played the right point in lower leagues and has a nice, hard shot?
- Feanor

Hopefully this is just Hakstol throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks. And a little "if we lose, we get a higher pick, so it's win-win" mentality. How else do you explain Simmonds, PEB and Gudas in OT?

why does #14 the one who always needs the help. maybe his wingers are saying the same thing, they need help....leave 14 as the 3rd line center and stop this fantasy he will be a good 2nd line center.
- rinaldo

He was 3rd on the team in ES scoring last season, only 7 points behind the 1st line center Giroux.

Something can't be a fantasy when it has already happened.

He was 3rd on the team in ES scoring last season, only 7 points behind the 1st line center Giroux.

Something can't be a fantasy when it has already happened.
- Feanor

Shh, facts and logic have no place at hockeybuzz!

Hopefully this is just Hakstol throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks. And a little "if we lose, we get a higher pick, so it's win-win" mentality. How else do you explain Simmonds, PEB and Gudas in OT?
- wolfhounds

And this is the season to experiment. If you look at this team objectively, best case is that they finish with 88-90 points and miss the playoffs. So, really, if they try some stuff that doesn't work and finish with 76-78 points, is it a big deal?

While I'll always root for them to win, I'm not losing a moments sleep when they lose. The higher they pick, the better. The only thing I really want to see this season, other than continued positive development among the prospects, is for them to acquire more picks and prospects near or at the trade deadline.

Something like a perfect backhand saucer pass to put a teammate in one on one with the goalie? Hopefully if he does that again the teammate will actually be able to finish.
- Feanor

Score a goal once in a while, he stinks offensively. You would marry Couterier if you could.

He was 3rd on the team in ES scoring last season, only 7 points behind the 1st line center Giroux.

Something can't be a fantasy when it has already happened.
- Feanor

On a team that could barely score at 5 on 5, that isn't saying much

On a team that could barely score at 5 on 5, that isn't saying much
- aantny88

So in other words...the problem is the team, not Couturier

It really annoyed me that Manning was getting PP time against the Kings. Why not give that experience to Laughton, who has played the right point in lower leagues and has a nice, hard shot?
- Feanor

He shouldn't be getting PP time at all. I'd keep Ghost out there for both units rather than put Manning out there. I was just as annoyed with #14, hands of stone, being on the top PP unit when Voracek was getting his face repaired. He was useless and is way too hesitant to shoot the puck, even when the lanes are open to do so.

He was 3rd on the team in ES scoring last season, only 7 points behind the 1st line center Giroux.

Something can't be a fantasy when it has already happened.
- Feanor

He's also finished in the top 60 among NHL centers in the past at ES scoring, with comparable ES point totals of more highly regarded offensive players, who undoubtedly play in better situations more conducive to offensive production. There are 30 teams in the league, 4 centers per team. Top 60 is 2nd line production.

So in other words...the problem is the team, not Couturier
- YuenglingJagr

Partially...but his inability to finish a great deal of clear cut chances (breakaways, 2 on 1's) last year was troubling. Seems to have major confidence issues on the offensive side of things

And this is the season to experiment. If you look at this team objectively, best case is that they finish with 88-90 points and miss the playoffs. So, really, if they try some stuff that doesn't work and finish with 76-78 points, is it a big deal?

While I'll always root for them to win, I'm not losing a moments sleep when they lose. The higher they pick, the better. The only thing I really want to see this season, other than continued positive development among the prospects, is for them to acquire more picks and prospects near or at the trade deadline.
- BiggE

Agreed. And acquiring picks is one of the reasons I'd like to see Manning take a seat for a few games...as it stands now, they're wasting a relatively expensive asset in Medvedev.

On a team that could barely score at 5 on 5, that isn't saying much
- aantny88

If we look at the entire situation, it's actually saying a lot.

Score a goal once in a while, he stinks offensively. You would marry Couterier if you could.
- ClaudeFather

And you would spell Couturier correctly if you weren't retarded. If you can't even bother to come up with new material, neither will I.

Couturier was also third on the team in ES goals last season. Try doing some research next time you clueless (frank).

He shouldn't be getting PP time at all. I'd keep Ghost out there for both units rather than put Manning out there. I was just as annoyed with #14, hands of stone
- aantny88

If he really has hands of stone, how did he make that backhanded saucer pass to Gostisbehere in OT?

And you would spell Couturier correctly if you weren't retarded.

If you can't even bother to come up with new material, neither will I.
- Feanor

If he really has hands of stone, how did he make that backhanded saucer pass to Gostisbehere in OT?
- Feanor

I can make a back handed saucer pass and I only played D3 in college...not an outstanding accomplishment for a professional hockey player

He was 3rd on the team in ES scoring last season, only 7 points behind the 1st line center Giroux.

Something can't be a fantasy when it has already happened.
- Feanor

The raw counts tend to be a reflection of the copious amounts of ES ice he sees, though. Break it down by rate and he doesn't exactly fall solidly in 2nd-line production category anymore:



.

I can make a back handed saucer pass and I only played D3 in college...not an outstanding accomplishment for a professional hockey player
- aantny88

How unsurprising that someone like you has delusions of grandeur.