Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Has Couturier Turned Corner, SHL Finals

Hopefully as the Flyers add more skill to the lineup, they can find that Qb for the 2nd PP unit and they generate more offense from the 2nd PP unit.

Hopefully as the Flyers add more skill to the lineup, they can find that Qb for the 2nd PP unit and they generate more offense from the 2nd PP unit.
- MJL

Agree.

I think you saw it a little better with more skill guys like Weal and konecny on it. Another year of Provorov. I liked the how the 2nd unit seemed to use more movement and maybe with a little more familiarity you could see them produce more.

FWIW, here is my take on Couturier. First off, he is unquestionably a fine shut down center and penalty killer, and I'm hoping that Hak uses him to start the kill in 17-18, thereby giving the Flyers a better chance to win the opening faceoff and get a quick clear.

When it comes to his offense, I don't think he will ever be able to maintain the pace he had over the last 20 games which would have him finishing a full season with 68 points. However, he has shown excellent chemistry with Schenn on his wing and if Konecny can slide into his other wing, and Couturier keeps getting regular time on the 2nd pp unit, I see no reason why he can't be 20+ goal, 50-55 point player which would be excellent production from a #2 center.

As far as the 2nd pp unit goes, I think Provorov can be that QB. He was really starting to show some offensive flair and creativity down the stretch.

Hopefully next year, the pp units look like:

Ghost-Provorov
Jake-Filpulla or TK
Giroux-Weal
Schenn-Lindblom or TK
Simmonds-Couturier

His knee felt better as soon as he got put back on the third line

FWIW, here is my take on Couturier. First off, he is unquestionably a fine shut down center and penalty killer, and I'm hoping that Hak uses him to start the kill in 17-18, thereby giving the Flyers a better chance to win the opening faceoff and get a quick clear.

When it comes to his offense, I don't think he will ever be able to maintain the pace he had over the last 20 games which would have him finishing a full season with 68 points. However, he has shown excellent chemistry with Schenn on his wing and if Konecny can slide into his other wing, and Couturier keeps getting regular time on the 2nd pp unit, I see no reason why he can't be 20+ goal, 50-55 point player which would be excellent production from a #2 center.

As far as the 2nd pp unit goes, I think Provorov can be that QB. He was really starting to show some offensive flair and creativity down the stretch.

Hopefully next year, the pp units look like:

Ghost-Provorov
Jake-Filpulla or TK
Giroux-Weal
Schenn-Lindblom or TK
Simmonds-Couturier
- BiggE

Agree with all that.

I actually think Weal could be a good compliment for Schenn and Couturier.

asdf

Weise clicked with Coots and Schenn, but he was shooting something like 20-24% over the last month or so. He wouldn't sustain that all year, so could definitely move someone else onto that line during the season. I do like Coots and Schenn though.

Im fine with Coots getting some PP time on the 2nd unit as a net front guy. He hasn't worked great tehre, but nothing on the second unit has. Anywhere from 45-50 would make me happy for Coots. Anything over 50 means he is either scoring on the PP or he is one of the best players in the NHL

Hopefully as the Flyers add more skill to the lineup, they can find that Qb for the 2nd PP unit and they generate more offense from the 2nd PP unit.
- MJL

Agreed.

I'm gonna also probably give Couturier a bit of a pass with his lack of production on PP2. Good on the coaches for trying him in different spots, but I think the overall lack of playmakers on that 2nd unit has probably as much to do with Couturier's production (or lack thereof) than anything else.

I don't think his late-season run is sustainable, but I don't see any reason why he can't give more consistent offensive output. While he'll likely never be a 70-point player, I think 50 points is attainable, and I'd be happy if he can reach that coupled with his defensive play.

His knee felt better as soon as he got put back on the third line
- YuenglingJagr

I am not trying to be a troll but does saying Couturier and 3rd line center together make people happy? Because he will always be a heavy minute guy. Probably just below Giroux and Voracek.

FWIW, here is my take on Couturier. First off, he is unquestionably a fine shut down center and penalty killer, and I'm hoping that Hak uses him to start the kill in 17-18, thereby giving the Flyers a better chance to win the opening faceoff and get a quick clear.

When it comes to his offense, I don't think he will ever be able to maintain the pace he had over the last 20 games which would have him finishing a full season with 68 points. However, he has shown excellent chemistry with Schenn on his wing and if Konecny can slide into his other wing, and Couturier keeps getting regular time on the 2nd pp unit, I see no reason why he can't be 20+ goal, 50-55 point player which would be excellent production from a #2 center.

As far as the 2nd pp unit goes, I think Provorov can be that QB. He was really starting to show some offensive flair and creativity down the stretch.

Hopefully next year, the pp units look like:

Ghost-Provorov
Jake-Filpulla or TK
Giroux-Weal
Schenn-Lindblom or TK
Simmonds-Couturier
- BiggE

I agree on the Coots points 100%. Also agree on the whole idea of the 2nd pp.

One thing to think about, and it depends on which young d-men make the team next year, is Sanheim. I would imagine that he goes on the 2PP as the QB when he is up.

A point that Mononoke has brought up in the past is that Provy is always going to be splitting time with players like Ghost, Sanheim, Meyers (when it comes to PP time). And they are all going to keep each others numbers a little lower.

I would hope that Provy sees his fair share of PP time, but even this year, at times, he was behind guys like Del Zotto. What I'm getting at is that I don't know if the Flyers will be able to get Provy the time he deserves on the PP.

It's not a bad problem to have at all, but it is something to think about.

In 1992, Andy Van Slyke had exactly 199 hits. He popped up to the Mets catcher in the top of the 9th with two outs in his final at bat of the season.

Just so you know.

Agree with all that.

I actually think Weal could be a good compliment for Schenn and Couturier.
- J35Bacher

I'd be fine with Weal on that line and TK with Filpulla and Simmonds

I agree on the Coots points 100%. Also agree on the whole idea of the 2nd pp.

One thing to think about, and it depends on which young d-men make the team next year, is Sanheim. I would imagine that he goes on the 2PP as the QB when he is up.

A point that Mononoke has brought up in the past is that Provy is always going to be splitting time with players like Ghost, Sanheim, Meyers (when it comes to PP time). And they are all going to keep each others numbers a little lower.

I would hope that Provy sees his fair share of PP time, but even this year, at times, he was behind guys like Del Zotto. What I'm getting at is that I don't know if the Flyers will be able to get Provy the time he deserves on the PP.

It's not a bad problem to have at all, but it is something to think about.
- VladDrag

I don't wanna be negative, but right now, none of Myers, Sanheim, Morin, or Hagg have proven anything at the NHL level. So until they do, I'm not gonna proclaim them as anything. Every reason to believe they will succeed at the NHL level, but they haven't yet.

The wya that I see it, the hope is that, with more skill, your 2nd PP unit come closer to matching the PP1 production. If the #1 unit draws top PK assignments, then the #2 unit would draw easier PK assignments. If you can add more skill to the #2 unit, they "easier" assignments should allow them better scoring chances. I don't think Provorov will have any ice time issues. The best way to earn PP time is to give the coach no reason to not put you out there.

I am not trying to be a troll but does saying Couturier and 3rd line center together make people happy? Because he will always be a heavy minute guy. Probably just below Giroux and Voracek.
- J35Bacher

Yup, if fact, when it comes to ES minutes, once they become a better team and are playing with the lead more often, I wouldn't surprised if Coots is #1 in that category.

I agree on the Coots points 100%. Also agree on the whole idea of the 2nd pp.

One thing to think about, and it depends on which young d-men make the team next year, is Sanheim. I would imagine that he goes on the 2PP as the QB when he is up.

A point that Mononoke has brought up in the past is that Provy is always going to be splitting time with players like Ghost, Sanheim, Meyers (when it comes to PP time). And they are all going to keep each others numbers a little lower.

I would hope that Provy sees his fair share of PP time, but even this year, at times, he was behind guys like Del Zotto. What I'm getting at is that I don't know if the Flyers will be able to get Provy the time he deserves on the PP.


It's not a bad problem to have at all, but it is something to think about.
- VladDrag

Could be Sanheim, but I'm guessing, at least at the start of the season, the Flyers six regular Dmen are Provorov, Gudas, Ghost, AMac, Hagg and Morin, Manning is the 7th and Sanheim/Myers is the top pair at LHV.

I don't wanna be negative, but right now, none of Myers, Sanheim, Morin, or Hagg have proven anything at the NHL level. So until they do, I'm not gonna proclaim them as anything. Every reason to believe they will succeed at the NHL level, but they haven't yet.

The wya that I see it, the hope is that, with more skill, your 2nd PP unit come closer to matching the PP1 production. If the #1 unit draws top PK assignments, then the #2 unit would draw easier PK assignments. If you can add more skill to the #2 unit, they "easier" assignments should allow them better scoring chances. I don't think Provorov will have any ice time issues. The best way to earn PP time is to give the coach no reason to not put you out there.
- jmatchett383

Here's how I see Morin, Hagg, Sanheim and Myers being on the 17-18 Flyers

I'd be absolutely shocked if none or all of them start the season with the Flyers
I'd be surprised if 1 or 3 of them do the same
I expect 2 to start the season in the NHL

Weise clicked with Coots and Schenn, but he was shooting something like 20-24% over the last month or so. He wouldn't sustain that all year, so could definitely move someone else onto that line during the season. I do like Coots and Schenn though.

Im fine with Coots getting some PP time on the 2nd unit as a net front guy. He hasn't worked great tehre, but nothing on the second unit has. Anywhere from 45-50 would make me happy for Coots. Anything over 50 means he is either scoring on the PP or he is one of the best players in the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

If he can put up 30-35 ES points and 10PP points I would be thrilled, but I don't think he will be a PP guy if he doesn't start scoring on the PP this upcoming year.

When the d prospects come up, I would imagine that they play on the PP over him on the left wall (Provy, Ghost, Meyers, Sanheim, Friedman?). That makes him available for net front or high slot. The scouting report on Lindblom is he is net front guy, so I would like to see him there, so that only leaves high slot for Couts.

With all that said, who is to say what the Flyers will look like in two years, so it's probably futile to think about what the PP in two years.

Here's how I see Morin, Hagg, Sanheim and Myers being on the 17-18 Flyers

I'd be absolutely shocked if none or all of them start the season with the Flyers
I'd be surprised if 1 or 3 of them do the same
I expect 2 to start the season in the NHL
- BiggE

Right now, the following NHL defensemen are signed throughout next season:

Provorov
Ghost (RFA)
Gudas
Manning
AMac

That leaves 2 spots, assuming they want to carry 7D and don't make any transactions concerning the D. However, I suspect they will add a bottom-pair type of guy through UFA, leaving 1 spot open. Now, they could always waive Manning or AMac to open up a spot, but I think they want the kids filling out the AHL blue line, and I don't think they want one of the kids sitting.

All in all, I'm saying I think 1 starts the year in the NHL and another is worked in throughout the season, with all getting a cup of coffee.

I am not trying to be a troll but does saying Couturier and 3rd line center together make people happy? Because he will always be a heavy minute guy. Probably just below Giroux and Voracek.
- J35Bacher

I was being a troll. I have always said the numbered line designations are stupid

Right now, the following NHL defensemen are signed throughout next season:

Provorov
Ghost (RFA)
Gudas
Manning
AMac

That leaves 2 spots, assuming they want to carry 7D and don't make any transactions concerning the D. However, I suspect they will add a bottom-pair type of guy through UFA, leaving 1 spot open. Now, they could always waive Manning or AMac to open up a spot, but I think they want the kids filling out the AHL blue line, and I don't think they want one of the kids sitting.

All in all, I'm saying I think 1 starts the year in the NHL and another is worked in throughout the season, with all getting a cup of coffee.
- jmatchett383

I'd be surprised if they sign any ufa D. Unless it's a panic sign in camp. WHich would be bad

I'd be surprised if they sign any ufa D. Unless it's a panic sign in camp. WHich would be bad
- Just5

They're going to sign someone!

Weise clicked with Coots and Schenn, but he was shooting something like 20-24% over the last month or so. He wouldn't sustain that all year, so could definitely move someone else onto that line during the season. I do like Coots and Schenn though.

Im fine with Coots getting some PP time on the 2nd unit as a net front guy. He hasn't worked great tehre, but nothing on the second unit has. Anywhere from 45-50 would make me happy for Coots. Anything over 50 means he is either scoring on the PP or he is one of the best players in the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

I think that is the best spot to try Couturier also. If the puck doesn't get to the net, the net front guy isn't going to do to well obviously.

Right now, the following NHL defensemen are signed throughout next season:

Provorov
Ghost (RFA)
Gudas
Manning
AMac

That leaves 2 spots, assuming they want to carry 7D and don't make any transactions concerning the D. However, I suspect they will add a bottom-pair type of guy through UFA, leaving 1 spot open. Now, they could always waive Manning or AMac to open up a spot, but I think they want the kids filling out the AHL blue line, and I don't think they want one of the kids sitting.

All in all, I'm saying I think 1 starts the year in the NHL and another is worked in throughout the season, with all getting a cup of coffee.
- jmatchett383

I'm gonna disagree. Unless they actual move or lose one of their existing Dmen, I don't think they will sign anyone other than perhaps a defensive minded guy to play for the Phantoms. From what Hextall has said about seeing more youth on next years roster, I fully expect, provided they have good camps and are healthy, Hagg, Morin and for that matter, Lindblom, to be with Flyers from game one in 17-18.

Sanheim will be the first guy who gets called up, and will see some games as well. Myers, unless the team is hit with multiple injuries, is probably looking at one full year at LHV, which I don't think is a bad thing at all.