God damn how many times is this going to be used. Great. He had numbers.

And I wasn't just saying you. But it seems people look for reasons to cut slack to others but Couturier just sucks.
- J35Bacher

I don't think Couturier sucks, nor would I say that about almost any player in the NHL. He's very responsible defensively, which almost goes without question, but he still hasn't taken that step forward offensively that myself and a lot of others thought/hoped he would. At this point, and I know he's only in his mid 20s, he's projecting to be more akin to John Madden than he is Patrice Bergeron.

Yep he sucks....

Two time top 10 voting for Selke...

http://www.hockey-referen.../players/c/coutuse01.html

I know it's not a finalist...
- dragonoffrost

Maybe I am a Couturier apologist.

I just think some people go out of the way cut a guy slack but others have been determined what they are already.

Look at Filppula. He didn't put up his 66 point season until 27.

Filppula is a pretty darn good player.
- MJL

Tampa had an embarrassment of riches when it came to smart, skilled, possession players... glad the Flyers were able to get a player like that for a pittance.

can you imagine
- stayinthefnnet

Yes but sadly he's Vegas bound

I don't think Couturier sucks, nor would I say that about almost any player in the NHL. He's very responsible defensively, which almost goes without question, but he still hasn't taken that step forward offensively that myself and a lot of others thought/hoped he would. At this point, and I know he's only in his mid 20s, he's projecting to be more akin to John Madden than he is Patrice Bergeron.
- aantny88

And Maybe he is.

But I'm also not counting him out. Once this team has better depth in the forward it think we could see a 45-55 point player.

It's really not hard to understand. Mason looked tired against Buffalo and gave up a lot of juicy rebounds as well as three goals on medium range wrist shots (although one was deflected). Hakstol didn't want him playing eight straight games in 16 days when he had a healthy and rested Neuvirth on the bench.
- Feanor

Bill got the words out much faster than I could.
Buffalo screened Mason well enough for a couple, and there wasn't much he could do.
The saves he needed to make, he did.
Unlike "Nuvy"
I don't get "oh, 8 games in 16 days, tough on the goalie".
If you can get deep in the playoffs, what's the difference, as it's a similar workload.

Bill got the words out much faster than I could.
buffalo screened Mason well enough for a couple, and there wasn't much he could do.
The saves he needed to make, he did.
Unlike "Nuvy"
i don't get v'oh, 8 games in 16 days, tough on the goalie".
If you can get deep in the playoffs, what's the difference, as it';s a similar workload.
- puckhead17

Mason is going to carry us in.

Then one bad game in the playoffs and it will be the last time he ever wears a Flyers sweater.

Honestly thought the Flyers coming out so strong in the 1st that it was going to be a long night. Flyers seemed to deflate after that first Leafs goal. The Leafs just seemed to outskate them and were all over them forcing them to turn it over repeatedly and they had almost no forechecking and cycle game. That said had the guys up front had some finish like on that two shot combo in the 2nd, it might have been a totally different outcome. Wouldn't blame the goalie though for the Flyers. Neuvirth was solid enough to get the win, but chances, just seems like the Leafs managed to take advantage of theirs more.

Well then you're basically admitting to not giving fair evaluations of players
- PhillySportsGuy

Maybe.

Don't forget that Schenn also washed out at his natural position. That also adds to the perception that "Simmonds > Schenn".

Maybe the Flyers can't afford to carry two guys with this sort of profile then? I dunno what the answer is here.

Honestly thought the Flyers coming out so strong in the 1st that it was going to be a long night. Flyers seemed to deflate after that first Leafs goal. The Leafs just seemed to outskate them and were all over them forcing them to turn it over repeatedly and they had almost no forechecking and cycle game. That said had the guys up front had some finish like on that two shot combo in the 2nd, it might have been a totally different outcome. Wouldn't blame the goalie though for the Flyers. Neuvirth was solid enough to get the win, but chances, just seems like the Leafs managed to take advantage of theirs more.
- Roadrunner75

Story of the year for us. Team shows what it can do when it plays efficiently then deflates for long stretches in games. Goaltending and scoring not good enough to over come it's lapses. Neuvirth wasn't to blame but also didn't give them much help.

And Maybe he is.

But I'm also not counting him out. Once this team has better depth in the forward it think we could see a 45-55 point player.
- J35Bacher

He's too young to count him out. If by the age of 27/28, he isn't producing like that, around 50 points a season, it's a fairly safe bet to assume he never will.

He's too young to count him out. If by the age of 27/28, he isn't producing like that, around 50 points a season, it's a fairly safe bet to assume he never will.
- aantny88

And I can agree with that.

but some are willing to just chuck him out the door for nothing because he isn't Bergeron now.

Are they calling for Kopitar's head in LA?

Kopitar: 38 points, 60 games played, .63 points per game, 10mil cap hit, 14m salary
Giroux: 47 points, 66 games played, .71 points per game, 8.275 cap hit, 9m salary

Are they calling for Kopitar's head in LA?

Kopitar: 38 points, 60 games played, .63 points per game, 10mil cap hit, 14m salary
Giroux: 47 points, 66 games played, .71 points per game, 8.275 cap hit, 9m salary
- SimmerDown17

Nope because Kopitar is a cup champion and the Kings have a realistic chance for the playoffs. And he has won the Lady Byng and Selke Trophies.

Nope because Kopitar is a cup champion and the Kings have a realistic chance for the playoffs. And he has won the Lady Byng and Selke Trophies.
- dragonoffrost

Winning the cup provides a fanbase with considerably more patience than one that hasn't since 1975.

And I can agree with that.

but some are willing to just chuck him out the door for nothing because he isn't Bergeron now.
- J35Bacher

A bit of a double edged sword having a great rookie season isn't it?

A bit of a double edged sword having a great rookie season isn't it?
- aantny88

Kind of.

I also think if they would just let him play with more skilled wingers you would see a point increase.

his line of Voracek and Konecny was actually the best line in the beginning of the year.

Even still, recently he has been one of the better forwards and playing with guys like Cousins and Read.

That's why I think he can still break out.

Are they calling for Kopitar's head in LA?

Kopitar: 38 points, 60 games played, .63 points per game, 10mil cap hit, 14m salary
Giroux: 47 points, 66 games played, .71 points per game, 8.275 cap hit, 9m salary
- SimmerDown17

Nope because Giroux's elite power play production doesn't mean anything.

Are they calling for Kopitar's head in LA?

Kopitar: 38 points, 60 games played, .63 points per game, 10mil cap hit, 14m salary
Giroux: 47 points, 66 games played, .71 points per game, 8.275 cap hit, 9m salary
- SimmerDown17

Different teams in different circumstances.

Jakes hands weren't strong enough or quick enough when he had a gaping net.
VDV's lack of finish after a nice play by TK to get a fat rebound was fun to see.
This will be dog days of season as after these 3 games we will know if we are golfing and healing early summer.

Are they calling for Kopitar's head in LA?

Kopitar: 38 points, 60 games played, .63 points per game, 10mil cap hit, 14m salary
Giroux: 47 points, 66 games played, .71 points per game, 8.275 cap hit, 9m salary
- SimmerDown17

His 10 million was for bringing 2 cups to LA.
G's 8 was for knocking crosby down in one playoff game

His 10 million was for bringing 2 cups to LA.
G's 8 was for knocking crosby down in one playoff game
- Konalover

Maybe.

Don't forget that Schenn also washed out at his natural position. That also adds to the perception that "Simmonds > Schenn".

Maybe the Flyers can't afford to carry two guys with this sort of profile then? I dunno what the answer is here.
- johndewar

Trade Schenn

His 10 million was for bringing 2 cups to LA.
G's 8 was for knocking crosby down in one playoff game
- Konalover

But he had the most points in the NHL for a 5 year span.

But he had the most points in the NHL for a 5 year span.
- J35Bacher

Only because Crosby missed a season.....