Sean Couturier is a big, strong, still very young forward with a great all-around game who has proven worthy of his first-round, eighth overall draft pedigree a hundred times over - usually while guarding, and subsequently shutting down, Pittsburgh Penguins star forward, Evgeni Malkin.
He has though, to this point in his Flyers career, been unable to master the scoring touch the team, seemingly preseason after preseason, keeps hoping to see him develop. But his vast skills otherwise make him a high quality player, and one who has garnered interest from around the league in the past.
"Couturier's name has come up many times over the past few years, but there were always people in Philly who would assure me they weren't moving him...that he was too important with too much upside..." writes Eklund of Hockeybuzz.com.
Now, as the Flyers continue to sag and the season begins to slip away, the team and general manager Ron Hextall, may be ready to see Couturier and his strong back-check and defensive forward skills walk out the door - even if it comes with the prospect of someday greatly regretting it.
"I have sensed a big change in that attitude over the last month or so. I still don't see it as likely, but I do see him possibly being a major chip should Hextall decide to go that direction..."
"Meanwhile, one of my best sources in San Jose tells me the Flyers and Sharks discussed a major deal this past week...at least the preliminary aspects to a major deal. Both teams find themselves in a similar situation and do make great trading partners...although both would like defensive help."
That last part seems to somewhat gum up the works of the rest of a possible trade scenario. But then again, the addition of a forward with as much defensive skill as Couturier is almost akin to adding blueline help.
Couturier, 21, has four goals and four assists on the season, according to Hockey-Reference.com. His offensive skills may be lacking, but for a team in San Jose that needs all the help in their own end that they can get, Couturier could prove a significant upgrade.
