Since he carries a giant contract ($7.75 million cap hit by means of 2029-30) and the “C” on his jersey, Sean Couturier is likely one of the most closely criticized gamers on the Philadelphia Flyers. By main a franchise that has endured a Stanley Cup drought nearing its fiftieth anniversary, he takes on fairly the burden. An unflashy participant who’s extensively considered having a unhealthy, immovable contract for the long-term future, the scrutiny he receives isn’t stunning.
Associated: Gary Dornhoefer: Flyers’ 1973 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hero
Nevertheless, those that have been maintaining an in depth eye on him might or might not understand one thing. He has saved a sinking ship afloat—the Flyers (9-10-2 report) have relied on him. He’s incomes greater than what his so-called “overpay” of a contract is giving out.
Couturier’s On-Ice Numbers Are Terrific
If it wasn’t clear with the attention check, the Flyers management the puck much more when Couturier is on the ice. To quantify how a lot better he has made the staff, compiled beneath are a few of Philadelphia’s metrics with and with out him on the ice. Tracked are shares of shot makes an attempt (Corsi), photographs, high-danger probabilities, anticipated targets, and precise targets at even power (by way of Pure Stat Trick):
| Stat (Even Power) | Flyers with Couturier | Flyers with out Couturier |
| Corsi Share (CF%) | 52.07% | 42.57% |
| Photographs Share (SF%) | 53.08% | 47.10% |
| Excessive-Hazard Possibilities Share (HDCF%) | 58.72% | 42.53% |
| Anticipated Objectives Share (xGF%) | 54.54% | 42.24% |
| Objectives Share (GF%) | 44.44% | 40.58% |
With Couturier on the ice, the Flyers are a genuinely good hockey staff. Solely 10 golf equipment have a greater CF% as a collective, six with a greater SF%, zero with a greater HDCF%, and two with a greater xGF%. The Orange and Black vastly outplay the opposition when their captain comes off the bench. When he’s resting, although, it’s a distinct story. Their numbers in comparison with the remainder of the league are beneath:
- thirty second in CF%
- twenty seventh in SF%
- thirtieth in HDCF%
- thirtieth in xGF%
- twenty eighth in GF%
In each single a type of metrics, the Flyers are a bottom-six staff within the NHL. They’re terribly outshot and outscored. Couturier won’t look a lot better by way of precise aim share (he’s a minus-4 at even power), however his .854 on-ice save proportion will appropriate itself over time—it’s an element out of his management. Even nonetheless, with a number of the worst goaltending on the market, he’s above the staff common.
It’s honest to take a look at factors and say Couturier’s 4 targets and 6 assists in 20 video games aren’t sufficient, however all of his scoring has come at even power. On a staff that has potted over one-fifth of its targets on the person benefit, he’s enjoying second-fiddle to the highest unit. Moreover, he’s tied for fourth in factors on the roster.
Proper Now, Couturier Is Incomes His Contract
Most see a 31-year-old participant making $7.75 million in opposition to the cap and count on him to attain greater than 10 factors in 20 video games. That’s comprehensible. However Couturier is the one middle who’s persistently giving the gamers round him an opportunity to shine. That’s been obvious by means of the attention check, however the stats (his possession metrics particularly) again this declare up, too.
The Flyers’ present facilities are the next: Couturier, Morgan Frost, Noah Cates, and Ryan Poehling. Their shares of ice time in all three zones are the next at even power (by way of NHL Edge):
| Ice Time Share in Every Zone (Even Power) | Sean Couturier | Morgan Frost | Noah Cates | Ryan Poehling |
| Offensive Zone | 42.5% | 41.1% | 39.9% | 38.8% |
| Impartial Zone | 18.8% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 18.3% |
| Defensive Zone | 38.7% | 41.0% | 42.2% | 43.0% |
As we are able to see, Couturier takes the cake by way of possession. He spends a substantial amount of time within the offensive and impartial zones, making it so little time is left over for him to be caved in on protection. This enables the Flyers to create extra scoring probabilities and, extra importantly, get gamers like rookie Matvei Michkov productive, assured, and completely satisfied. If he’s spending that a lot time within the offensive zone, extra targets will come—it’s all you’ll be able to actually ask for on this rebuilding season. However then, we see a drop-off.
Frost is about league common, whereas Cates and Poehling are spending a disproportionate quantity of their time on protection. This wastes shifts, once more, placing somebody like Michkov ready the place his offensive creativity isn’t being put to good use. If it feels just like the teenager is spending manner an excessive amount of time within the defensive zone, that’s as a result of he’s—Michkov isn’t enjoying on Couturier’s line anymore.
Over the previous 5 video games, Michkov has performed 86.42 p.c of his even-strength ice time with out Couturier. In almost an hour of utilization in these conditions (59:18), he has a dreadful 27.14 xGF%. In that sliver of time he has been with the captain (9:10), Michkov’s xGF% is a way more promising 60.16.
This will get to the purpose of Couturier’s contract. He’s making $7.75 million in opposition to the cap, which is rather a lot, however the different three facilities are making a mixed $6.625 million to get pummeled once they’re on the ice. If you have a look at it that manner, Couturier’s cap hit is greater than acceptable. Proper now, it’s far nearer to a cut price for the Orange and Black than being an overpay.
Being the captain of a hockey staff that hasn’t seen championship success in many years isn’t simple. Expectations are heightened, and watchful eyes observe your each transfer. Couturier hasn’t backed down from the stress, although. Whereas a high draft choice may profit the Flyers, placing their Calder Trophy candidate ready to succeed ought to be their focus. The veteran and younger Michkov haven’t performed collectively rather a lot just lately, however the captain’s presence ought to be a welcomed one.
