Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest! Joined: 07.19.2015
Oct 20 @ 2:16 PM ET
Remember past discussion we've had where there was an issue with Couturier's usage, and how it was affecting the development of his offensive game? Seems no matter what, there's gripes on how Couturier is used. Not saying anyone is right or wrong about, just how the scale has tipped. - MJL
Even strength usage. Not sure what PK has to do with that. It was league hardest along with Bergeron. But most of the Coots fan club wasn't as concerned with this so much as league hardest usage with players like injured Read, Umberger, Talbot, Rinaldo, Downie, etc. We all cared most about quality of teammate. So no, you're not correct. Deal wit it.
I'm Chris Vandevelde and I approve this message - BiggE
I just can't figure out how he stays in the lineup. I understand a comfort thing by the coach but he provides nothing other than some pk work.
I would be playing Lyubinov no matter what over him. See what he brings as he could be someone you resign cheap in the offseason to fill a 4th line role. Everyone including the concession girl in aisle 124 knows what vandevelde brings
Two best PKers on the team are Coots and G, with Read in the mix on wing. I get why they are easing Giroux off because of injuries and a scoring drop at ES. Without ample scoring depth in the bottom (partly the coaches personnel faults), they need his scoring badly. And they have a few ok PKers after those guys. Not using Coots is criminal and has zero logic other than making the 4th line darlings feel special. - Mononoke
Okay I am going to reveal my position on the matter. I really don't care if they use Coots on the PK. I mean, I do care, but it is not the issue I have. In my perfect world, they have more skilled forwards throughout the lineup and these guys that are relied upon for their defense are taken out behind the shed.
It all boils down to, believe it or not, scoring more goals than the opponent. Coots would always be on the ice if it was possible, but it isn't, so there has to be compromise. If they want to let some other guys skate around short handed and let Coots handle more of the defensive responsibility at even strength I am okay with that. If they want to use Coots on the PK and rely on other guys at ES I am okay with that too. The problem is when the "other guys" are VDV and PEB (could include others here) who have been ineffective for greater than one season already. They are hardly good enough to take the pressure off of Coots on the PK and they certainly arent good enough to take the pressure off of him at ES. Offensively they are non-existent
Even strength usage. Not sure what PK has to do with that. It was league hardest along with Bergeron. But most of the Coots fan club wasn't as concerned with this so much as league hardest usage with players like injured Read, Umberger, Talbot, Rinaldo, Downie, etc. We all cared most about quality of teammate. So no, you're not correct. Deal wit it. - Mononoke
when did we start talking about onions. ffs I cant keep it all straight
Location: any donut with a hole in the middle can get (frank)ed right in its hole, NJ Joined: 04.08.2012
Oct 20 @ 2:26 PM ET
Remember past discussion we've had where there was an issue with Couturier's usage, and how it was affecting the development of his offensive game? Seems no matter what, there's gripes on how Couturier is used. Not saying anyone is right or wrong about, just how the scale has tipped. - MJL
The gripes were more about his even strength usage and linemates. I don't think anyone was advocating for him to be removed from the PK rotation.
Location: any donut with a hole in the middle can get (frank)ed right in its hole, NJ Joined: 04.08.2012
Oct 20 @ 2:28 PM ET
Two best PKers on the team are Coots and G, with Read in the mix on wing. I get why they are easing Giroux off because of injuries and a scoring drop at ES. Without ample scoring depth in the bottom (partly the coaches personnel faults), they need his scoring badly. And they have a few ok PKers after those guys. Not using Coots is criminal and has zero logic other than making the 4th line darlings feel special. - Mononoke
What is the rationalization for not using Read on the top PK unit as well?
Even strength usage. Not sure what PK has to do with that. It was league hardest along with Bergeron. But most of the Coots fan club wasn't as concerned with this so much as league hardest usage with players like injured Read, Umberger, Talbot, Rinaldo, Downie, etc. We all cared most about quality of teammate. So no, you're not correct. Deal wit it. - Mononoke
The less he plays on the PK, the more ES ice time in better situations, wouold be available to him. PK minutes are hard minutes on a player. I think the ideal situation is to have the grinders and lower line players, take most of the burden on the PK. I think the best thing for Couturier and his offensive development, is to lessen the defensive burden on him, which is what they're doing. Either way, there will be complaints. The Flyers roster still has some holes, that need to be upgraded. What I'm right about is that the Flyers are using him more as a top scoring line center now, then as a defensive forward, like he has been heavily used in the past. I agree with that.
The gripes were more about his even strength usage and linemates. I don't think anyone was advocating for him to be removed from the PK rotation. - PhillySportsGuy
The two go hand in hand, and are not separate issues. One affects the other. Heavy PK usage affects a player at ES. We saw that with Giroux, in part. Flyers are using Couturier like a 2nd scoring line center, rather than as a defensive center.
Location: any donut with a hole in the middle can get (frank)ed right in its hole, NJ Joined: 04.08.2012
Oct 20 @ 2:37 PM ET
The two go hand in hand, and are not separate issues. One affects the other. Heavy PK usage affects a player at ES. We saw that with Giroux, in part. Flyers are using Couturier like a 2nd scoring line center, rather than as a defensive center. - MJL
So it's not possible for Couturier to play on the PK and play with Voracek and Konecny at even strength?
Not if you want to send them out right after a Coots penalty kill. - MBFlyerfan
Or you could use the Giroux line...regardless....I stand by my point that the only reason any of this is being discussed is because PEB and VDV suck and because SSB asked a question that didnt need answering in the first place
So it's not possible for Couturier to play on the PK and play with Voracek and Konecny at even strength? - PhillySportsGuy
The question doesn't make sense, seeing that he is currently seeing some PK time, and playing at ES with Voracek and Konecny. It's a catch 22 situation. Freeing up Couturier from some of the defensive responsibilities he has been burdened with in the past, so he can play in better situations, will help him offensively. The flip side of that is, that he is obviously one of the best defensive forwards and PKers on the team, so that can hurt the team on the PK, by using him less. There's good and bad. We're 3 games in so far, so we'll see how it goes.
