Value of: What is the plan with Sean Couturier?

[BillDineen]

1- He bounces back and at some point is tradeable (not this season)

2- He is healthy, but too slow. He is bought out or traded with an asset if money for Gauthier/Michkov is needed in a number of years

3- Reinjured and LTIR at some point

 

[Curufinwe]

Let him play one regular season game first lol

He also has a NMC

 

[GeeoffBrown]

I assume the plan is for Couturier to resume his career and hopefully become an elite 2-way player again?

If that happens, then the Flyers and Couturier will have a lot more options to decide on whether they fit each other's timelines or not

 

[Limeyjim]

I know there isn't a bunch of excitement about the Flyers in this upcoming season, but the return of Cam Atkinson and Sean Couturier should surprise a lot of people who are just writing this team off. I'm looking forward to watching this team now. During the Fletcher years I had given up on them completely, but I like some of the things that Danny Briere has done. Acquiring decent additions like Mark Staal and Garnet Hathaway will help guide and mentor the future core of this team.
I'd really love to see Sean Couturier become the next Captain for this team, he is a leader, and I'm sure Coach Tortorella will see that.

 

[HBK27]

Can't see him ever playing for another team besides Philly. Hopefully he bounces back and plays well, but I just don't think that contract will ever be movable - not with the length, cap hit, his age & injury history.

Unfortunately, the best case scenario for Philly might be that he winds up on LTIR at some point in a few seasons and isn't a liability once the team becomes competitive again.

He most definitely signed a long-term extension at the best possible time.

 

[Jared Dunn]

Sean Couturier will continue to be an awesome defensive center on a bad team to help the team not be as bad as they should. With Tortorella, Atkinson now healthy, and Couturier, the Flyers will surpise teams, flirt with a playoff spot for half of the season before blowing it in the end, finishing 10th -12th worst in the NHL. A real rebuild requires continually finishing in the bottom 5.

You have to understand, this is how the Flyers do rebuild - not really be bad enough to get anyone to actually make the team superior. They can't trade Couturier because of his contract, and he is good enough to keep the team from being really really bad; but being really really bad is what they need to do. But you know my Flyers! They use the word "rebuild" but for them, it just means we have an excuse to not make the playoffs without really doing anything to help us build for a Stanley Cup.

The east is really strong, there's going to be a few teams that would make it in the west on the outside looking in and teams like Detroit and Columbus should be a lot better but still a ways out. I think in spite of themselves trying to screw it up both Montreal and Philly will be in the basement all year long. I don't think there's another team in the east (assuming healthy) that's near as bad as either of them

 

[Pantokrator]

The east is really strong, there's going to be a few teams that would make it in the west on the outside looking in and teams like Detroit and Columbus should be a lot better but still a ways out. I think in spite of themselves trying to screw it up both Montreal and Philly will be in the basement all year long. I don't think there's another team in the east (assuming healthy) that's near as bad as either of them

I can only wish you are right. I don't have enough faith that my team will do the right thing - i.e. tank properly.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I can only wish you are right. I don't have enough faith that my team will do the right thing - i.e. tank properly.

It might literally kill Torts but they'll be down there

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Who would give anything of value for him at this point?

Well, I agree it's tough, this is definitely a prove it year. If he gives Selke type defense and a near PPG season, teams will be inquiring and fast. The guy's awesome, his hockey IQ is through the roof and he's a #2 center shut down 70 point type guy on a championship team (IF HES HEALTHY). A lot of teams will be interested if he can prove he can stay healthy.

Think couts will surprise a lot of doubters. I see a 50 pt floor lots of ice time first line first pp first pk lots of face offs

I think he'll be around the 60 point area, he's actually really talented, so I think this is damn near spot on.

 

[Gliff]

Well, I agree it's tough, this is definitely a prove it year. If he gives Selke type defense and a near PPG season, teams will be inquiring and fast. The guy's awesome, his hockey IQ is through the roof and he's a #2 center shut down 70 point type guy on a championship team (IF HES HEALTHY). A lot of teams will be interested if he can prove he can stay healthy.

100%. But not many teams would be willing to take the risk of paying him near 8 million dollars for 7 years until age 38.

Honestly, even if he bounces back I think a lot of teams would be scared of that contract.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

100%. But not many teams would be willing to take the risk of paying him near 8 million dollars for 7 years until age 38.

Honestly, even if he bounces back I think a lot of teams would be scared of that contract.

Oh yeah for sure, no doubt there's a lot of uncertainty and risk. But if Coots is your #2 center and healthy and you're a team that's right there contending for a cup. You do what it takes to win a cup, that's the ultimate goal, and he's the type of guy that could take a team there in that slot. Honestly I've been a Flyers fan since I was 5 years old, I'm 35 now, I'm not sure I'll see a cup before I die who knows? When you can add a guy that gives you that shot you take the repercussions that come with it. But I definitely agree with your point.

 

[StewieP19]

Flyers need to wait. See how he react on the ice.
No rush there. Still 7 years @ 7.750 M will be hard to move if he can't play like he did in the past.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Flyers need to wait. See how he react on the ice.
No rush there. Still 7 years @ 7.750 M will be hard to move if he can't play like he did in the past.

Cap continues to go up, this man is the type of guy that can turn a close team to a serious contender IF he's healthy. But he has to show he's that guy.

 

[Curufinwe]

100%. But not many teams would be willing to take the risk of paying him near 8 million dollars for 7 years until age 38.

Good thing he'll only be 37 when the contract ends on 6/30/2030.

 

[Gliff]

Good thing he'll only be 37 when the contract ends on 6/30/2030.

Well in that case that changes everything!

 

[StewieP19]

Cap continues to go up, this man is the type of guy that can turn a close team to a serious contender IF he's healthy. But he has to show he's that guy.

If he show the right things Yes but proving he can stay healthy with his injury it's pretty tough

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

If he show the right things Yes but proving he can stay healthy with his injury it's pretty tough

Agree, no clue how well he'll come back, but IF he is healthy he can take a team over the hump he's that good. I hate my team right now but I know how extremely special, efficient and defensively great SC is, dude is dominant if healthy.

 

[Sasso09]

Who would give anything of value for him at this point?

Any smart team

I think if healthy he can still be an effective player, but not as effective as before given the diminished mobility.

He never relied on mobility, that won't be an issue..at his peak he was a top 10-15 forward, PPG selke winner.

The plan should be for the Flyers to hope he comes back and shows that same level of play then trade him to a contender mid season or at the dead line. That's best case scenario for Philly

 

[Sasso09]

if there is one player who doesnt deserve this kind of thread, its Couturier. No value for any team. Signed a big contract then got major surgery. One more bad blow to Philly after Ellis, Patrick. Best case scenario is he plays 3rd line level or if he retires and gets off the books.

Lol I'm gong to love bumping this nonsense

Correct me if I'm wrong, but he has a full nmc until the last year of his contract no?

And if we assume that he agrees to a trade, it would take a very successful season from him to hold any type of positive value imo.

7 years left, significant injury history, high ish aav.... doesnt bode well but we'll see.

Also, its not like the flyers have too many talented centers, he's useful to them

"Significant injury history"

Was literally hurt once (major injury) in 11 seasons

 

[Gliff]

Lol I'm gong to love bumping this nonsense


"Significant injury history"

Was literally hurt once (major injury) in 11 seasons

One significant injury can be more worrisome then a career of minor injuries.

A back injury that kept him out for 2 years is significant. Why would you act like it isnt?

 

[abo9]

Lol I'm gong to love bumping this nonsense


"Significant injury history"

Was literally hurt once (major injury) in 11 seasons

A major injury requiring back surgery and missing a full season and a half is quite significant. Not something I'd take lightly if I were a team looking to acquire a guy with 7 years left on his contract

 

[canuckslover10]

Got 1 assist ATM vs Columbus so definitely still capable of playing.

 

[Pantokrator]

It might literally kill Torts but they'll be down there

I admire your faith. Just wait and see how the Flyers will trade picks and prospects in March to get veterans to make a playoff push.

 

[Curufinwe]

Let him play one regular season game first lol

OK, we'll start the bidding at two first round picks.

 

[jfhabs]

If he's healthy, playing well and the Flyers are willing to retain 20-25%, they'll get a huge return for him. And I think they should go for it.

I can probably see a good fit in Carolina for example.
They have a ton of good prospects and their window is now.
Center depth could be a little better since KK and Drury are still very green.