If only we had prime Couturier right now … so many forget how good he was before the back problems.
December 24, 2025
If only we had prime Couturier right now … so many forget how good he was before the back problems.
11 comments
Nobody forgets, the fact is he just isnt that anymore and that is all that matters. The fact Coots used to be a #1C doesnt help the team.
I think the way Coutrier is constantly being held against his former self isn’t totally fair, he has had to deal with some incredibly serious injury issues over the years and has still managed to come back and play at the level of an all situations middle-six C who can drive play pretty well. Hell, with the way the cap ceiling is trending I don’t even think his contract is that terrible given what he provides.
The biggest issue I see moving forward with him is simple: I don’t think overdeploying a guy approaching his mid-thirties whose body is being held together by duct tape is a good idea at all. Ideally we could really use a guy who can take away more of his crucial offensive minutes, but that’s an indictment on the front office for not being able to find a solution to that, not on Coots
The weird thing with Coots is that, by his modern player card, he’s still a very similar player. His massive differences are almost entirely in the PP and finishing side (and he takes a lot more penalties, lol.) Otherwise, he still grades out as a great offensive and defensive player.
He was so good as a net front presence, I wonder if he just can’t fight those battles anymore because of his back.
Loved me some prime coots. But let’s be real he isn’t a middle 6 C. He is unfortunately now a 3rd or 4th center with first line center face off winning ability only. The “rebuild” doesn’t finish with him still as the captain. Injuries and Father Time are undefeated.
I hate how some people talk about him. This guy played 77 games with a +18 in his first season at 19 years old. He played a thankless role for years and barely ever got any recognition for it from the media (top 3 in Selke twice) or his own fans.
Now he gets shit on by people for trying his best. He should get nothing but gratitude from us. Everyone complains about the contract as if it’s his fault it was offered to him. Who in their right mind turns down 62 million?
Couturier is a great example (not the only one of course) of fans’ misplaced anger with players. 99.99% of the time every player is trying their absolute hardest every single day. But, if they aren’t good enough despite their best efforts then most fans will direct all kinds of insults their way, as if they’re purposely trying to fuck up. It’s not the players’ fault if they’re not good enough to be a professional. It’s the fault of the people who rostered them. Obviously Fletcher offered Coots his current deal and we can all hate on Chuck until we die but there are plenty of guys on the current roster who are clearly not good enough and are kept around anyway. I don’t think Briere should be fired or anything ridiculous but fans should be calling him, Jones and the coaching staff out for players like Errson and Hathaway, not the players themselves.
I’m a huge fan, or should I say was, he is older and banged up and on the down ward curve of his career. It’s ok, he was great for a while for us.
My only issue currently is- and clearly from an outside perspective – is his leadership. I’m worried his production has caused him to not be as confident and take a backseat to others. I would love to see TK with the C on his chest.
The hate towards him is baffling. His contract is nothing now compared to where the cap is going. He’s been solid in general nothing crazy just competent. The one thing I can’t stand is his complete reluctance to shoot the fking puck.
If Coots slowly moves towards our long term 4C and potentially still team captain, it may not be the worst contract in the world. Theres a chance he could play deep into his 30s as a world class 4C that can still PK and take all your crucial draws. And if he spends the next few years playing in the middle 6 at his current rate, that isnt the worst situatuon either.
Goudy I very much appreciate your Coots appreciation
He was a Selke level shutdown center as a 19yo before his offensive game had developed. obviously w age, the legs go but the IQ is still there, especially in the defensive zone with his position and stick placement. His knowledge and ability to pass that on to the young guys and show them how to be professionals is the most important thing he can do now.
He’s a stats darling still. He’s a top player- he just isn’t on the PP as much.
11 comments
Nobody forgets, the fact is he just isnt that anymore and that is all that matters. The fact Coots used to be a #1C doesnt help the team.
I think the way Coutrier is constantly being held against his former self isn’t totally fair, he has had to deal with some incredibly serious injury issues over the years and has still managed to come back and play at the level of an all situations middle-six C who can drive play pretty well. Hell, with the way the cap ceiling is trending I don’t even think his contract is that terrible given what he provides.
The biggest issue I see moving forward with him is simple: I don’t think overdeploying a guy approaching his mid-thirties whose body is being held together by duct tape is a good idea at all. Ideally we could really use a guy who can take away more of his crucial offensive minutes, but that’s an indictment on the front office for not being able to find a solution to that, not on Coots
The weird thing with Coots is that, by his modern player card, he’s still a very similar player. His massive differences are almost entirely in the PP and finishing side (and he takes a lot more penalties, lol.) Otherwise, he still grades out as a great offensive and defensive player.
He was so good as a net front presence, I wonder if he just can’t fight those battles anymore because of his back.
Loved me some prime coots. But let’s be real he isn’t a middle 6 C. He is unfortunately now a 3rd or 4th center with first line center face off winning ability only. The “rebuild” doesn’t finish with him still as the captain. Injuries and Father Time are undefeated.
I hate how some people talk about him. This guy played 77 games with a +18 in his first season at 19 years old. He played a thankless role for years and barely ever got any recognition for it from the media (top 3 in Selke twice) or his own fans.
Now he gets shit on by people for trying his best. He should get nothing but gratitude from us. Everyone complains about the contract as if it’s his fault it was offered to him. Who in their right mind turns down 62 million?
Couturier is a great example (not the only one of course) of fans’ misplaced anger with players. 99.99% of the time every player is trying their absolute hardest every single day. But, if they aren’t good enough despite their best efforts then most fans will direct all kinds of insults their way, as if they’re purposely trying to fuck up. It’s not the players’ fault if they’re not good enough to be a professional. It’s the fault of the people who rostered them. Obviously Fletcher offered Coots his current deal and we can all hate on Chuck until we die but there are plenty of guys on the current roster who are clearly not good enough and are kept around anyway. I don’t think Briere should be fired or anything ridiculous but fans should be calling him, Jones and the coaching staff out for players like Errson and Hathaway, not the players themselves.
I’m a huge fan, or should I say was, he is older and banged up and on the down ward curve of his career. It’s ok, he was great for a while for us.
My only issue currently is- and clearly from an outside perspective – is his leadership. I’m worried his production has caused him to not be as confident and take a backseat to others. I would love to see TK with the C on his chest.
The hate towards him is baffling. His contract is nothing now compared to where the cap is going. He’s been solid in general nothing crazy just competent. The one thing I can’t stand is his complete reluctance to shoot the fking puck.
If Coots slowly moves towards our long term 4C and potentially still team captain, it may not be the worst contract in the world. Theres a chance he could play deep into his 30s as a world class 4C that can still PK and take all your crucial draws. And if he spends the next few years playing in the middle 6 at his current rate, that isnt the worst situatuon either.
Goudy I very much appreciate your Coots appreciation
He was a Selke level shutdown center as a 19yo before his offensive game had developed. obviously w age, the legs go but the IQ is still there, especially in the defensive zone with his position and stick placement. His knowledge and ability to pass that on to the young guys and show them how to be professionals is the most important thing he can do now.
He’s a stats darling still. He’s a top player- he just isn’t on the PP as much.