Good to see Palat finally get some love. The guy is very underrated by many.

Would I trade him for a healthy Couts? That's a tough one. Maybe. I think they are both great in different ways.
- GalacticStone

Centers are more valuable but Couts has one super money season and the rest are solid, but middle six caliber. I think Couts has grown into his own and this past season was a coming out party for things to come, but there's a valid argument for not trading a a guy who's consistently been a top line caliber winger for a guy who's only had one season of top line level production.

Centers are more valuable but Couts has one super money season and the rest are solid, but middle six caliber. I think Couts has grown into his own and this past season was a coming out party for things to come, but there's a valid argument for not trading a a guy who's consistently been a top line caliber winger for a guy who's only had one season of top line level production.
- Victoro311

Centers are more valuable but Couts has one super money season and the rest are solid, but middle six caliber. I think Couts has grown into his own and this past season was a coming out party for things to come, but there's a valid argument for not trading a a guy who's consistently been a top line caliber winger for a guy who's only had one season of top line level production.
- Victoro311

40, 52 & 35 are the last 3 seasons points. Granted he hasn't played an 82 game seasson as yet, but are they top line points? 2 points last playoffs in 17 games.

Has he even played top line consistently/at all?

Centers are more valuable but Couts has one super money season and the rest are solid, but middle six caliber. I think Couts has grown into his own and this past season was a coming out party for things to come, but there's a valid argument for not trading a a guy who's consistently been a top line caliber winger for a guy who's only had one season of top line level production.
- Victoro311

A lot of 30 point seasons from him. If he can put another 70 point season, I'll entertain a higher spot. Ryan also said the difference in skill isn't much between the bottom 6 of this list.

A lot of 30 point seasons from him. If he can put another 70 point season, I'll entertain a higher spot. Ryan also said the difference in skill isn't much between the bottom 6 of this list.
- Thrill81

Was this his first year C the top line?

Fun fact.

The Oilers currently have 3 original top 10 picks from 2011 on their roster.

None of which make the hindsight top 10.

Was this his first year C the top line?
- Aussiepenguin

Not sure. To be clear I'm not comparing him to Saad, just saying I won't say he's a legit star and a top 4 pick from this draft till there is more. I also wouldn't consider Saad a super star by any means.

Not sure. To be clear I'm not comparing him to Saad, just saying I won't say he's a legit star and a top 4 pick from this draft till there is more. I also wouldn't consider Saad a super star by any means.
- Thrill81

No I agree about Saad. I was more comparing Vics comment about Palat. Time will tell but he certainly went well (Coûts) last season. And I think it's his first as top line C - I'm sure Matchett man can confirm.

Centers are more valuable but Couts has one super money season and the rest are solid, but middle six caliber. I think Couts has grown into his own and this past season was a coming out party for things to come, but there's a valid argument for not trading a a guy who's consistently been a top line caliber winger for a guy who's only had one season of top line level production.
- Victoro311

Gotta take Couts’ 2-way play into factor. Finished 2nd for the Selke, and really has been a fantastic defensive forward since he came into the league. He was given tough assignments and asked to kill a lot of penalties right from the start, too.

No I agree about Saad. I was more comparing Vics comment about Palat. Time will tell but he certainly went well (Coûts) last season. And I think it's his first as top line C - I'm sure Matchett man can confirm.
- Aussiepenguin

Oh sorry, misunderstood. I certainly think Couturier can be a star, and if he can put seasons like last year on a regular basis, he could be the best two way player currently I think. A better version of Jonthan Toews I think. That would obviously be best case scenario, he could come crashing down but I think he'll be a good player.

Gotta take Couts’ 2-way play into factor. Finished 2nd for the Selke, and really has been a fantastic defensive forward since he came into the league. He was given tough assignments and asked to kill a lot of penalties right from the start, too.
- Hesh_

Palat has finished in the top 30 for Selke voting 3 times and is one of the best 2 way wingers in the NHL.

Both are great players.

Palat has finished in the top 30 for Selke voting 3 times and is one of the best 2 way wingers in the NHL.

Both are great players.
- Feds91Stammer

Top 30 is not top 2 lol

Top 30 is not top 2 lol
- bulet13

Of course not but most guys won't even submit votes for wingers...

I wasn't suggesting he has as big of a defensive impact as Couturier...

Simply pointing out that Palat is a top tier 2 way player as well...

Of course not but most guys won't even submit votes for wingers...

I wasn't suggesting he has as big of a defensive impact as Couturier...

Simply pointing out that Palat is a top tier 2 way player as well...
- Feds91Stammer

Palat is a really good player no one is arguing that but I don't think under any circumstance he would be taken ahead of coots in any hypothetical redraft. 1Cs are still more valuable and coots provides just as much offense (if not more) while playing better D than Palat.

Palat is one of those guys who does everything right. There are really no holes in his game.

He's had a 20+ goal season, and would have arguably had 2 or 3 more similar seasons if not for injuries. He's a good hitter, despite his underwhelming size. And yes, he's solid defensively.

Having said that, he's not a center and sucks at faceoffs, so I give the edge to Couts. But, since Tampa is so stacked down the center, I don't think I would trade Palat for Couts. Some of that is bias, since I like Palat.