I just worry if we keep drafting centers we're going to become Edmonton
If we aren't trading up to get Jones, I would rather just take best player available regardless of position and then fill our holes through FA, minor trades, and/or promotions from within the organization.
Why not trade Laughton? Why not try him on the wing? If Bryz is indeed coming back next year, there is no goalie situation to resolve, which leaves the D. You need three of those, one established nhler, one nhl ready prospect, and one blue chip pick. Nurse could fill the pick requirement. Trade laughton for gormley. Pick up a player like Ballard after he's bought out, or try another offer sheet for a RFA.
Done.
Canuck fan...
I think you should assume Laughton won't be ready next season. Couturier is 20 heading into next season and can't really complain about the minutes he gets. They should spend the year figuring out what they have in he and Schenn. Both are valid trade candidates (as is Laughton) Whoever does not fit can be traded the following season. No rush. Their value is only going to increase.
That's fine. I think you can pencil him in on this team if Couturier is not there, but assume he isn't. Even if Laughton isn't ready, then sign a capable 3C (which is why I have been saying "or whomever replaces Couturier" after I slate Laughton at 3C).
And just so I am clear (because I really don't think people are understanding what I am saying)...I don't think that whomever takes over for Couturier in the event of a trade (Laughton/UFA) is going to do better that Couturier or even as good as Couturier. What I am saying is that I would take a downgrade at one position (Center) for an upgrade at another position (defense). Center is a position of strength and depth on this team. Defense is a position of weakness that lacks depth.
The problem, I think, is that there's no defenseman that we can realistically get for Couturier who isn't likely to leave us saying "what-were-they-thinking" five years from now. You can't get a #1 for him--and a guy with a 2/3 ceiling could easily end up being disappointing, relative to what many of us expect Couturier to become.
I don't see why skating can't be improved. It's just technique. An intensive summer of work and he can come back with it all turned around.
I wouldn't trade Couturier at all, unless it was a massive overpayment. I think he can top out at ~70 points a season with elite defense. One of the main reasons I wouldn't trade Couts is because he really gets under Malkin's skin. I don't think anyone else on the Flyers would be able to slow Malkin down. For that alone I need something along the lines of high ceiling D-prospect + a good D-prospect + 1st at least to get me to move him.
I understand we have Laughton waiting to take over the role of defensive center, but I don't know if he can go against Malkin who is still pretty young himself. Laughton has a good defensive game, but he doesn't have the size. You can't teach size.
I don't see why skating can't be improved. It's just technique. An intensive summer of work and he can come back with it all turned around.
I've been told for a while that Couturier's offense will be able to translate into the NHL,
and I've been waiting patiently hoping for something.
The reality is , by now we should have seen at-least a glimpse of what is to come. But we have not. Yes he is young, and yes he has yet to physically mature. But what he lacks in is something that can't be taught.
Couturier is a very very slow skater, It is not going to improve, you can not teach a person to be faster. If he is ever going to be a point producer he will need a winger like voracek that can handle the puck enter the zone and provide some athleticism to the line.
The more I watch him the more he reminds me of A slower handzus. Part of me sees him as the odd man out in the future and wants to trade him for a d man prospect. But another part of me wants to keep him to try to up his value some what next year before trading him.
Personally, I think it's easier to teach a person to be a faster skater, than to teach a person how to evaluate the potential of young NHL players.
True, but there are Hall of Famers who were never great skaters, e.g. Ron Francis.
Ya I am sick of them relying on trades to fix every hole. It just opens up new holes. There is no quick fix out of this mess. They need patience and wait for the right moves to come along.
No kiddingWell, here's a lesson some still haven't learned in the years since.