One of those names is not like the others.
- Feanor

the rest ok, but Maata?
- PhillaBully

Have you seen that kid play? I've never been so impressed by a rookie defenseman. Kid is ridiculous. I like Coots, a lot. But that kid looks like he's gonna be special.

One of those names is not like the others.
- Feanor

Yup. I scratched my head on that one as well.

Subban.

Have you seen that kid play? I've never been so impressed by a rookie defenseman. Kid is ridiculous. I like Coots, a lot. But that kid looks like he's gonna be special.
- jmatchett383

hes a rookie. L schenn was considered untouchable his rookie year...now look at him

He's seriously overvalued then. Wow!
- mayorofangrytown

I know it's not a popular opinion. I just see a 21-year-old doing things that most in the league cannot at his position, and he's just scratching the surface.

I'm not saying a trade for a guy like Subban or Pietrangelo isn't "fair" per se, and even that both MTL and STL would say "no way."

Just saying I wouldn't trade 14. Find other ways to acquire a top pairing guy.

hes a rookie. L schenn was considered untouchable his rookie year...now look at him
- PhillaBully

Yes he was. But a lot of that is the Toronto "our most current 1st rounder is our saviour" mentality. He wasn't even expected to make the team, and looks like an 8-year pro. It's a risky move, but I'd do it if I was given the opportunity.

I know it's not a popular opinion. I just see a 21-year-old doing things that most in the league cannot at his position, and he's just scratching the surface.

I'm not saying a trade for a guy like Subban or Pietrangelo isn't "fair" per se, and even that both MTL and STL would say "no way."

Just saying I wouldn't trade 14. Find other ways to acquire a top pairing guy.
- bradleyc4

So Poile calls up Homer and says, "We really like Couturier. We'll give you either Seth Jones or Shea Weber for him."

You want Homer to refuse him?

So Poile calls up Homer and says, "We really like Couturier. We'll give you either Seth Jones or Shea Weber for him."

You want Homer to refuse him?
- jmatchett383

Correct.

Let's discuss Cal Heeter.

On the one hand, his stats are influenced by a team without serious top-line talent that plays a defensive scheme for a terry Murray team.

On the other hand, Yann Danis, who has a big chunk of NHL playing time under his belt, hasn't been CLOSE to as good as him in the same situation.

Is he for real? Does he have a shot at backup next year?

Correct.
- bradleyc4

Wow. No offense, but I am so glad you're not the Flyers GM. Couturier has a very unique skill set for a player his age.

But refusing to trade him for a true elite defender (the hardest thing to acquire and the Flyers #1 need/want) is just ridiculous.

Let's discuss Cal Heeter.

On the one hand, his stats are influenced by a team without serious top-line talent that plays a defensive scheme for a terry Murray team.

On the other hand, Yann Danis, who has a big chunk of NHL playing time under his belt, hasn't been CLOSE to as good as him in the same situation.

Is he for real? Does he have a shot at backup next year?
- jmatchett383

He might. He would have to be in the mix, I would think.

Wow. No offense, but I am so glad you're not the Flyers GM. Couturier has a very unique skill set for a player his age.

But refusing to trade him for a true elite defender (the hardest thing to acquire and the Flyers #1 need/want) is just ridiculous.
- jmatchett383

No offense taken.

Correct.
- bradleyc4

Love the kid, too. Not saying he's Forsberg, but even if they traded him for a great dman, it would be similarly sad to watch his two-way game blossom somewhere else.

Yes he was. But a lot of that is the Toronto "our most current 1st rounder is our saviour" mentality. He wasn't even expected to make the team, and looks like an 8-year pro. It's a risky move, but I'd do it if I was given the opportunity.
- jmatchett383

i would do it for everyone on the list except Maata. I need a proven commodity.

So Poile calls up Homer and says, "We really like Couturier. We'll give you either Seth Jones or Shea Weber for him."

You want Homer to refuse him?
- jmatchett383

Id do it.

Love the kid, too. Not saying he's Forsberg, but even if they traded him for a great dman, it would be similarly sad to watch his two-way game blossom somewhere else.
- Tomahawk

The Bruins are an elite team because of both Chara and Bergeron (and a great supporting cast).

Why trade our Bergeron for a Chara? They need both.

*this is just an example of my thought process

There is a list of AT LEAST 15 guys I would trade him for in a 1-on-1 deal.
Shea Weber
Alex Pietrangelo
Ryan Suter
Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith
Erik Karlsson
OEL
Olli Maata

Off the top of my head.

With looking:
Jacob Trouba
PK Subban
Kris Letang
Dougie Hamilton
John Carlson

There's a bunch I'm 50/50 on (Voynov, Myers, etc.)
- jmatchett383

I have no idea what that guy is doing there. Laughton for Maatta maybe more like it? He is in far to good company in that list.

Edit: I see others have touched upon it. But am I to understand that you'd rather have Maatta than, say, Seth Jones? Btw, think seth jones for couts might be something?

I have no idea what that guy is doing there. Laughton for Maatta maybe more like it? He is in far to good company in that list.
- Bearintheforest

It's just a personal bias. Like Bradley's love for Coots. We're all allowed to not be objective from time to time, right?

The Bruins are an elite team because of both Chara and Bergeron (and a great supporting cast).

Why trade our Bergeron for a Chara? They need both.

*this is just an example of my thought process
- bradleyc4

Firstly, Couturier is not (currently) nearly Bergeron. Bergeron's offensive game is light years ahead of Couturier, even if you just compare their first 3 seasons. Could he eventually become him? Absolutely. However, as of yet, he's an unproven commodity (much like Maata).

Secondly, I think 30 NHL GMs would trade a good 2-way center for a proven elite defender. So, all things equal, Chara would fetch a Bergeron plus, so a 1-for-1 is a steal.

Coots has a valuable if raw skill set. Shea Weber/Ryan Suter have a proven skill set that is far more valuable and rarer to find.

It's just a personal bias. Like Bradley's love for Coots. We're all allowed to not be objective from time to time, right?
- Tomahawk

NO!

Maybe it is just me hating the thought of the pens getting any solid prospects what so ever.

I have no idea what that guy is doing there. Laughton for Maatta maybe more like it? He is in far to good company in that list.

Edit: I see others have touched upon it. But am I to understand that you'd rather have Maatta than, say, Seth Jones? Btw, think seth jones for couts might be something?
- Bearintheforest

No, Seth Jones just didn't pop into my head. Not saying the guys on the list on the top are better, just that they didn't come to me immediately and I had to look around.

It's just a personal bias. Like Bradley's love for Coots. We're all allowed to not be objective from time to time, right?
- Tomahawk

Coots for Maata is risky, I'll admit it. So I can fully understand people not wanting to do it. So I can understand others on here thinking it's crazy. But, living with a Pens fan, I've had the pleasure of watching him play regularly, and the kid looks like the real deal. He has shades of Lidstrom in him (not saying he'll BE Lidstrom).

Firstly, Couturier is not (currently) nearly Bergeron. Bergeron's offensive game is light years ahead of Couturier, even if you just compare their first 3 seasons. Could he eventually become him? Absolutely. However, as of yet, he's an unproven commodity (much like Maata).

Secondly, I think 30 NHL GMs would trade a good 2-way center for a proven elite defender. So, all things equal, Chara would fetch a Bergeron plus, so a 1-for-1 is a steal.

Coots has a valuable if raw skill set. Shea Weber/Ryan Suter have a proven skill set that is far more valuable and rarer to find.
- jmatchett383

I'm not debating this with you, just giving you some of my reasoning.

We all have different viewpoints on where Couturier is currently and what he might become in the future. I'm obviously a lot more bullish on his future.

Coots for Maata is risky, I'll admit it. So I can fully understand people not wanting to do it. So I can understand others on here thinking it's crazy. But, living with a Pens fan, I've had the pleasure of watching him play regularly, and the kid looks like the real deal. He has shades of Lidstrom in him (not saying he'll BE Lidstrom).
- jmatchett383

Stop. You are going to make me cry...

No, Seth Jones just didn't pop into my head. Not saying the guys on the list on the top are better, just that they didn't come to me immediately and I had to look around.
- jmatchett383

We are following eachother now.

Seth Jones would look good in a flyers uni too. Wonder what it would take to get him here. Couts and some pick of unknown value?

I'm not debating this with you, just giving you some of my reasoning.

We all have different viewpoints on where Couturier is currently and what he might become in the future. I'm obviously a lot more bullish on his future.
- bradleyc4

Fair enough. So, can you name any players in the NHL you WOULD trade him for? Because if you say you wouldn't trade him for Steven Stamkos or Sidney Crosby...well, we're gonna have a problem.