If you had tried to sign him to a 6 year deal than the cap hit goes up to the 9M range.
- MJL

Very true and Fletcher confirmed as much. Fletcher not only stated Couts is an elite player who would have cashed in mightily if he hit free agency, but that Couts worked with the team to keep the cap hit lower so they can build a championship team around him. Also Fletcher chuckled when it was suggested that Couts might decline in the later years of the contract, and I loved Fletcher's response:

I want to come back and live in the world that some of these people live in, there is the ideal world and then the real world. Sean Couturier is an elite hockey player, he's a rare talent and you just can't find these players! We play him when we're down, we play him when we're up, he is only one of 5 centers in the league that has lead his team in 5 on 5 ice time.

Its about time we all realize how lucky we are to have Couts on this team locked up for most likely the remainder of his career!

Sean Couturier is that two way center every team needs to win. He does his job every night. My issue is, I can’t really think of a clutch Couturier moment in his career. Coots should be on par or close to Patrice Bergeron but Bergeron has numerous clutch moments. Multiple big goals. The Bruins begin and end with that top line of Bergeron and Marchand.
- SuperSchennBros

How about the playoff game against Pittsburgh a few years ago where Couts was hurt but came back to play and willed the team to a win to extend the series? The Flyers still lost the series, but that was a very clutch moment. The Flyers have to as a team make the playoffs and go deep so there is an opportunity for a clutch moment, and when that occurs you will see Couts step up, I have no doubt about it.

He once scored a hat trick and 5 pts on a torn MCL to keep the Flyers alive in a series vs the Pens.

Totally never been clutch, tho.
- Tomahawk

Yes, this is the game I was thinking about also!

I don't see it that way. Sorry bout that! This is a business and it will be Giroux's last contract. In no way do I see it as a guarantee that he will be back next year. Hell, if this season goes up in smoke and they are out of playoff contention at the deadline he could be traded then. Of course, he could always come back after that, but we shall see. They are going to have very limited cap space from the looks of things unless they can unload a big contract(JVR?) and there is no avoiding that fact.
- Phillywhiteout

Hence why both sides are waiting. Yes of course if the season goes to crap that could change but I choose to think they will be successful.

Giroux has already gotten his "big" contract so his next one will be a team friendly deal I guarantee it.

Giroux is here as long as he wants to be.

We can choose to be cynical, as seems to be the majority in here, but Im not.

I just saw this teams best player leave money on the table to help the team going forward. I saw Sanheim do the same thing. One can argue that Provorov and Konecny did the same thing as both signed for less than was expected.

Yes it is his last contract and he wants to win here. So there is no chance he will hamstring the team and by proxy his own success by holding their feet to the fire in contract negotiations. We can disagree fine.

I choose to believe in Giroux.

I am here to talk flyers hockey and just hockey in general. I try not to get caught up in the pissing contests and negativity on here

I am very excited for this team and for the attitude I feel that this time now has.
We may finally get to see this team have an Identity! How long has it been since they had one?
- Bob Habib

We said the same thing going into last year after the playoff round win..couldnt wait for last yr to start. We shall see but season is going to be 75% dependent on the goaltending and thats a big question mark

Hence why both sides are waiting. Yes of course if the season goes to crap that could change but I choose to think they will be successful.

Giroux has already gotten his "big" contract so his next one will be a team friendly deal I guarantee it.

Giroux is here as long as he wants to be.

We can choose to be cynical, as seems to be the majority in here, but Im not.

I just saw this teams best player leave money on the table to help the team going forward. I saw Sanheim do the same thing. One can argue that Provorov and Konecny did the same thing as both signed for less than was expected.

Yes it is his last contract and he wants to win here. So there is no chance he will hamstring the team and by proxy his own success by holding their feet to the fire in contract negotiations. We can disagree fine.

I choose to believe in Giroux.
- MBFlyerfan

Couts did not leave any $$ on the table. If he goes free agent he gets a max 7 yr deal and probably in 8.5-9M $$ range max...same amount of $$. Plus got a full NTC and major portion of $$ in bonus from what I read. He gave the Flyers no discount at all.

Very true and Fletcher confirmed as much. Fletcher not only stated Couts is an elite player who would have cashed in mightily if he hit free agency, but that Couts worked with the team to keep the cap hit lower so they can build a championship team around him. Also Fletcher chuckled when it was suggested that Couts might decline in the later years of the contract, and I loved Fletcher's response:



Its about time we all realize how lucky we are to have Couts on this team locked up for most likely the remainder of his career!
- jd250

Fletcher is obviously not aware of where Couturier ranks among centers on NHL.com

Couts did not leave any $$ on the table. If he goes free agent he gets a max 7 yr deal and probably in 8.5-9M $$ range max...same amount of $$. Plus got a full NTC and major portion of $$ in bonus from what I read. He gave the Flyers no discount at all.
- hfc355

Yea, I don't think saying he gave the team a hometown discount or left money on the table is completely accurate. I think what is most accurate to say is that they negotiated a fair contract for both sides. You could make an argument that he did but negotiations are a give and take. Both sides got something that they wanted and they came to a compromise. Couturier got a high level of security both in terms of the length of the deal, movement clauses and with the structure of the deal. The Flyers got the cap hit that they can work with.

We said the same thing going into last year after the playoff round win..couldnt wait for last yr to start. We shall see but season is going to be 75% dependent on the goaltending and thats a big question mark
- hfc355

I completely agree that goaltending is of the utmost importance. Carter Hart is probably the one player who could elevate the team to be more than they really are. With that being said, straightening out the team game in every aspect will go a long way to getting the goaltending that they need.

We said the same thing going into last year after the playoff round win..couldnt wait for last yr to start. We shall see but season is going to be 75% dependent on the goaltending and thats a big question mark
- hfc355

Couldn't you basically say that about every team every season? I mean, everyone knows you aren't going anywhere without quality goaltending. The fact is that Fletcher saw a major problem with the leadership group and players that basically didn't give a shyte, and he cleaned house and brought in character players. I'm not thrilled with Jones as a backup, but what else was he really going to do about the goaltending? You wanted him to trade Hart? Not sure what your beef is.

This has to be the absolutely dumbest and most Moronic batch of bantering amongst people who think they are some sort of Hockey minds. Saad Hoffman st louis some other a$$holes on other teams....
Comments here about "our" team are mostly ridiculous to start but PHUCK, discussing players from other teams WOW!!
FWIW...You are all just a bunch of sad wanna be front office buttlickers, you all are just some keyboard cowboys who think you're just brilliant....Get a grip.
- konalover711

Do you prefer mustard or ketchup on your hot dog? If mustard do you like yellow or spicy brown?

I am here to talk flyers hockey and just hockey in general. I try not to get caught up in the pissing contests and negativity on here

I am very excited for this team and for the attitude I feel that this time now has.
We may finally get to see this team have an Identity! How long has it been since they had one?
- Bob Habib

What identity do you think the team has or will have?

Couldn't you basically say that about every team every season? I mean, everyone knows you aren't going anywhere without quality goaltending. The fact is that Fletcher saw a major problem with the leadership group and players that basically didn't give a shyte, and he cleaned house and brought in character players. I'm not thrilled with Jones as a backup, but what else was he really going to do about the goaltending? You wanted him to trade Hart? Not sure what your beef is.
- Phillywhiteout

In my view the leadership issue is completely overblown. I think it simply comes down to not being a good enough team and not having the right mix of players. Combine that with the youth that the team relied on and the Covid situation and it led to a disaster. I think they just need to get a better team, some better players and a better mix of players and that will solve any perceived leadership issue.

Very true and Fletcher confirmed as much. Fletcher not only stated Couts is an elite player who would have cashed in mightily if he hit free agency, but that Couts worked with the team to keep the cap hit lower so they can build a championship team around him. Also Fletcher chuckled when it was suggested that Couts might decline in the later years of the contract, and I loved Fletcher's response:



Its about time we all realize how lucky we are to have Couts on this team locked up for most likely the remainder of his career!
- jd250

The GM has given no indication he knows how to do this. Past and present.

Hence why both sides are waiting. Yes of course if the season goes to crap that could change but I choose to think they will be successful.

Giroux has already gotten his "big" contract so his next one will be a team friendly deal I guarantee it.

Giroux is here as long as he wants to be.

We can choose to be cynical, as seems to be the majority in here, but Im not.

I just saw this teams best player leave money on the table to help the team going forward. I saw Sanheim do the same thing. One can argue that Provorov and Konecny did the same thing as both signed for less than was expected.

Yes it is his last contract and he wants to win here. So there is no chance he will hamstring the team and by proxy his own success by holding their feet to the fire in contract negotiations. We can disagree fine.

I choose to believe in Giroux.
- MBFlyerfan

what term and amount in your opinion.

Couts did not leave any $$ on the table. If he goes free agent he gets a max 7 yr deal and probably in 8.5-9M $$ range max...same amount of $$. Plus got a full NTC and major portion of $$ in bonus from what I read. He gave the Flyers no discount at all.
- hfc355

he would have received anywhere from 56-63 million if he tested free agency assuming he would have got between 8-9 million per.

He is getting 62 million from the flyers. Gave a slight discount on annual cap hit on but not really much overall in real money. Also keep in mind his deal is buyout proof. So he will be here all 8 years and get that full 62. So did he really give this home town discount when all is said and done? A little yes as maybe saves 1 million per on the cap give or take.

In my view the leadership issue is completely overblown. I think it simply comes down to not being a good enough team and not having the right mix of players. Combine that with the youth that the team relied on and the Covid situation and it led to a disaster. I think they just need to get a better team, some better players and a better mix of players and that will solve any perceived leadership issue.
- MJL

As seems to be the case a good part of the time I totally disagree with your take. I think there is no doubt that leadership has been an issue on this team for quite sometime. Okay, maybe I don't totally disagree cause I do think that they've overvalued some of their players, but this team has showed potential leadership issues for years. Slow starts in games and totally imploding in games when something goes bad. Just not showing up for games at times. I mean, I understand in an 82 game schedule there will be games that they aren't all there, but some of the games this team has played over the past several years have been downright embarrassing. It seems that the GM agrees with me(right or wrong). The fact that just about every player that he has brought in this off season has wore an "A" on their previous team speaks volumes. I also heard an interview yesterday with CF on NHL Network radio and he spent half the interview talking about needing to change the leadership in the room. Perhaps his perception is wrong, but I happen to agree with him.

As seems to be the case a good part of the time I totally disagree with your take. I think there is no doubt that leadership has been an issue on this team for quite sometime. Okay, maybe I don't totally disagree cause I do think that they've overvalued some of their players, but this team has showed potential leadership issues for years. Slow starts in games and totally imploding in games when something goes bad. Just not showing up for games at times. I mean, I understand in an 82 game schedule there will be games that they aren't all there, but some of the games this team has played over the past several years have been downright embarrassing. It seems that the GM agrees with me(right or wrong). The fact that just about every player that he has brought in this off season has wore an "A" on their previous team speaks volumes. I also heard an interview yesterday with CF on NHL Network radio and he spent half the interview talking about needing to change the leadership in the room. Perhaps his perception is wrong, but I happen to agree with him.
- Phillywhiteout

A team has to be good enough as a team to overcome team issues no matter how good a leader or leadership group. Just think about how many good teams with players who are perceived as good leaders suddenly have a poor season. What happened? Did their good leaders suddenly become poor leaders? In my opinion that players they brought in have worn a letter is a coincidence. Fletcher traded for Ellis because he is a top pairing RH D man to play with Provorov. He traded for Ristolainen because he is a RH physical defender. He traded for Atkinson because he is more of a goal scorer versus the playmaker that Voracek was and is a better all around player. He added Yandle to man the PP. You can change the leadership in the room all you want. If your team is not good, it won't be good.

He once scored a hat trick and 5 pts on a torn MCL to keep the Flyers alive in a series vs the Pens.

Totally never been clutch, tho.
- Tomahawk

So no Stanley Cup OT winners Catapulting us to another round of the playoffs? Right. Gotcha.

He can play through pain. He’s easily our most responsible player but that hat trick his rookie year was nearly 10 years ago and overshadowed by Giroux’s hat trick the same game.

The fact you’re this offended by my post furthers my point. He can still be a really good player and our team’s most important player and not be a clutch player, which I don’t find him to be in big moments.

How about the playoff game against Pittsburgh a few years ago where Couts was hurt but came back to play and willed the team to a win to extend the series? The Flyers still lost the series, but that was a very clutch moment. The Flyers have to as a team make the playoffs and go deep so there is an opportunity for a clutch moment, and when that occurs you will see Couts step up, I have no doubt about it.
- jd250

Did we win the series?

Most players play through pain. It’s amazing if a player can do it but I’m all about wins.

Just came across a Mark Freidman verse the Flyers video, never seen a guy that was more clearly hated than that

Did we win the series?

Most players play through pain. It’s amazing if a player can do it but I’m all about wins.
- SuperSchennBros

So it’s only clutch if you win the series? It’s a team game, you can only do your part and the guy has certainly done that.

Couldn't you basically say that about every team every season? I mean, everyone knows you aren't going anywhere without quality goaltending. The fact is that Fletcher saw a major problem with the leadership group and players that basically didn't give a shyte, and he cleaned house and brought in character players. I'm not thrilled with Jones as a backup, but what else was he really going to do about the goaltending? You wanted him to trade Hart? Not sure what your beef is.
- Phillywhiteout

Have no beef just have heard this optimism year after year decade after decade...and no of course didnt want to trade Hart we sink or swim this year with him. The only leadership guy gone is Vorachek and I was thrilled to see him gone. Bottom line think the team is improved defensively with more experienced guys though think Myers will be a solid top 4 guy for years. Offensively they are dependent on a number of Iffy players..if TK bounces back..if Allison can play top 6 in NHL...if Farabee continues to improve...If Hayes can earn his money.....but the biggest if is HART there is no plan B for him

Couts did not leave any $$ on the table. If he goes free agent he gets a max 7 yr deal and probably in 8.5-9M $$ range max...same amount of $$. Plus got a full NTC and major portion of $$ in bonus from what I read. He gave the Flyers no discount at all.
- hfc355

Stop it. Cap hit is the only thing that matters.

A team has to be good enough as a team to overcome team issues no matter how good a leader or leadership group. Just think about how many good teams with players who are perceived as good leaders suddenly have a poor season. What happened? Did their good leaders suddenly become poor leaders? In my opinion that players they brought in have worn a letter is a coincidence. Fletcher traded for Ellis because he is a top pairing RH D man to play with Provorov. He traded for Ristolainen because he is a RH physical defender. He traded for Atkinson because he is more of a goal scorer versus the playmaker that Voracek was and is a better all around player. He added Yandle to man the PP. You can change the leadership in the room all you want. If your team is not good, it won't be good.
- MJL

Being “good” has nothing to do with leadership. Sure, if your team isn’t good your record will suck but can still go out & give/show 100% effort. If your leadership sucks the effort will be inconsistent (getting embarrassingly outplayed multiple times against Buffalo) which has been the norm with the Flyers for the last 5 or so seasons inconsistent effort.