Yeah, kinda except I don't find Couturier a despicable, lazy, waste of talent, Franchise/Coach killer.
- mayorofangrytown

Bill Barber aside, you must have missed the 2004 playoffs.

He played with Tanner Glass and Rick Rypien on the third/fourth line.
- mayorofangrytown

Couturier had more points (27) in his first full year than Ryan Kesler (23) did. In fact, Kesler didn't score more than 37 points until his 4th full year in the league when he was 24.

I hate advanced metrics. They don't work in baseball and they aren't going to work in hockey. Nice tool for managers and coaches but that's about it. I get tired of talking about money and hockey.

I'm in no way implying he's not a good young player and I like him but he's not the player people on here are describing most days. He's not overly physical. He rarely controls the play. He doesn't put up points. I can see how well he plays defensively but if I'm comparing him to a recent Selke candidate and his second year in the league he's no Ryan Kesler.
- mayorofangrytown

his hits are terribly low (10) and his faceoffs are down this year which I think will improve but his shooting percentage is 4.8, kinda low if you ask me for a guy with so-called great hands.

Ryan Kelser didn't play a full season with the Canucks until his third year from his draft year at 21 years old. That might not seem like a big deal, but physically that is a big deal.
- psuhockey

It's a big deal. I usually hate to compare players. I'm with Joe though, although I take it from a different starting point. I don't see what Couturier is doing right now that Laughton won't be able to approximate next season.

Bill Barber aside, you must have missed the 2004 playoffs.


- Lexington Flyer

yea and Rod Brind'amour had like 10 playoff runs just as good or better.

He played with Tanner Glass and Rick Rypien on the third/fourth line.
- mayorofangrytown

Couturier had more goals and points his first full year than Kesler did in his first full year as an 18/19 year old versus a 21year old.

He played with Tanner Glass and Rick Rypien on the third/fourth line.
- mayorofangrytown

And in his second full season, he played 48 games and had 16 points, at age 21.

His "breakout" season, or first 20+ goal season came when he spent most of his ice time with Burrows.

Couturier had more points (27) in his first full year than Ryan Kesler (23) did. In fact, Kesler didn't score more than 37 points until his 4th full year in the league when he was 24.
- NickTheKid87

But you could see he was a different player. He could carry, he could knock players off the puck, his shot was tremendous. You could see him coming.

Aside: I think we hype up movies to much. Everyone was like "Go see the Hangover! It's so funny". Saw it, thought it was okay because I was expecting much more. Same with Les Miserables recently. Some of my favorite movies have been one's I had not info on before seeing it.
- NickTheKid87

That is true, but regardless of expectations, I despised that girl.

And in his second full season, he played 48 games and had 16 points, at age 21.

His "breakout" season, or first 20+ goal season came when he spent most of his ice time with Burrows.
- Jsaquella

Yes. But Burrows wasn't the first line player then that he is now. They sort of came up together.

But you could see he was a different player. He could carry, he could knock players off the puck, his shot was tremendous. You could see him coming.
- mayorofangrytown

We've seen Couturier shut down the league's MVP among others and we've seen him score (he had a 4 or 5 game goal streak last year, some of them goal scorers goals) and he's had a lot of great chances this year although he hasn't managed to bury all of them. Also, hindsight is 20/20.

We've seen Couturier shut down the league's MVP among others and we've seen him score (he had a 4 or 5 game goal streak last year, some of them goal scorers goals) and he's had a lot of great chances this year although he hasn't managed to bury all of them. Also, hindsight is 20/20.
- NickTheKid87

see I think Laughton could match that and with some physicality that would cause a neanderthal meltdown so big the ice age would be erased from history.

We've seen Couturier shut down the league's MVP among others and we've seen him score (he had a 4 or 5 game goal streak last year, some of them goal scorers goals) and he's had a lot of great chances this year although he hasn't managed to bury all of them. Also, hindsight is 20/20.
- NickTheKid87

I think that Gagne on his line is going to super help him open up his offense some.

Bill Barber aside, you must have missed the 2004 playoffs.


- Lexington Flyer

Not at all. He was invisible in the first round just like every other playoff series he was ever in. Played great off an on in the next 13 games. Eliminated in the Conference Finals. For one season he was the best third line center in the game.

Yes. But Burrows wasn't the first line player then that he is now. They sort of came up together.
- mayorofangrytown

Yes, both developed into first line players. Not sure that the linemates Couturier has spent most of his ice time with will ever develop into what Burrows has. That's why I utilize advanced metrics, to analyze things more deeply.

Kesler's a special player, when he's healthy. A lot of what he does "pops". A lot of what Couturier does is more subtle.

I think that Gagne on his line is going to super help him open up his offense some.
- FlyersGrace

gagne has played well being paired with COuturier. Heckuva pair of linemates for sure.

Yes, both developed into first line players. Not sure that the linemates Couturier has spent most of his ice time with will ever develop into what Burrows has. That's why I utilize advanced metrics, to analyze things more deeply.

Kesler's a special player, when he's healthy. A lot of what he does "pops". A lot of what Couturier does is more subtle.
- Jsaquella

yea couturier does have that nifty poke check/steal puck move.

see I think Laughton could match that and with some physicality that would cause a neanderthal meltdown so big the ice age would be erased from history.
- JoeRussomanno

Laughton has shown that he can irritate and bang, hasn't shown where he can be as good as Couturier defensively.

I think that Gagne on his line is going to super help him open up his offense some.
- FlyersGrace

Gagne and maybe Read if he gets back in time, that will be a very good 3rd line.

Laughton has shown that he can irritate and bang, hasn't shown where he can be as good as Couturier defensively.
- Jsaquella

If you can get a guy off his game as Malkin has shown he's susceptible to doing, by banging and irritating, isn't this then a match?

It's a big deal. I usually hate to compare players. I'm with Joe though, although I take it from a different starting point. I don't see what Couturier is doing right now that Laughton won't be able to approximate next season.
- mayorofangrytown

My point is to wait, at least another full year to see what kind of player his really is. This season, besides being his sophomore year, is almost a waste to judge anybody. Half the Flyers were sitting around getting fat at home or in Europe and the AHL guys were playing with slop and picking up bad habits at that level. It's hard to take seriously a year where Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa's AHL team are comfortably in playoff position while the Rangers and Flyers are struggling to get in.

see I think Laughton could match that and with some physicality that would cause a neanderthal meltdown so big the ice age would be erased from history.
- JoeRussomanno

I think Laughton could do that too but I don't think he'll produce offensively like Couturier has the potential to. Comparing their jr. numbers:

Couturier:
09/10: 68 GP, 41 G, 55 A, 96 PTS
10/11: 58 GP, 36 G, 60 A, 96 PTS

Laughton:
11/12: 64 GP, 21 G, 32 A, 53 PTS
12/13: 46 GP, 22 G, 32 A, 54 PTS

My point is to wait, at least another full year to see what kind of player his really is. This season, besides being his sophomore year, is almost a waste to judge anybody. Half the Flyers were sitting around getting fat at home or in Europe and the AHL guys were playing with slop and picking up bad habits at that level. It's hard to take seriously a year where Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa's AHL team are comfortably in playoff position while the Rangers and Flyers are struggling to get in.
- psuhockey

I'm not knocking COuturier but if you can move him for a OEL type dman, then you better not hesitate.

I think that Gagne on his line is going to super help him open up his offense some.
- FlyersGrace

I agree 100%. Let's face it, Talbot, Fedotenko, Knuble and Rinaldo aren't wingers that make offense easy. Gagne is a proven scorer with a little left in the take it seems.

Yes, both developed into first line players. Not sure that the linemates Couturier has spent most of his ice time with will ever develop into what Burrows has. That's why I utilize advanced metrics, to analyze things more deeply.

Kesler's a special player, when he's healthy. A lot of what he does "pops". A lot of what Couturier does is more subtle.
- Jsaquella

I really didn't want to start comparing them. My fault for bringing Kesler up.

I don't want to demean the kid. I like him. I just, like I've said repeatedly, don't see the player everyone raves about. I see a good second year pro who is playing well defensively and developing at pace. Like a lot of second year pros.