Sean Couturier: The NHL’s Best Bargain
Former Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall is often credited for putting together the foundation of this seemingly special 2019-20 team, and rightfully so.
When Hextall took over as Flyers GM in July of 2013, the organization needed tons of help. It was a slow and painful process, but Hextall did a marvelous job of getting the team back on track.
He got the Flyers out of Cap hell by trading away older players who were not part of the future; he restocked a completely barren farm system by drafting exceptionally well, which has produced current talents like Travis Konecny, Ivan Provrov, Travis Sanheim, Carter Hart and he made some savvy undrafted signings like Phil Myers.
Perhaps Hextall’s greatest achievement, which he hardly gets credit for is signing centerman Sean Couturier to a bargain 6-year, $26 million deal with an AVV of $4.333 per year.
In July of 2015, Hextall announced that the 8th overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft, Sean Couturier, had been signed to the multi-year contract extension. The 6’3” center, had produced great offensive numbers with 192 points in 126 games in his last 2 seasons with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL.
But, when he shocked everyone and made the Flyers out of camp at the ripe age of 18, he was mostly used as a shutdown center (shout out to Evgeni Malkin: Remember what 19-year-old Sean Couturier did to you in the 2012 playoffs?).
Although happy with his defensive play, Hextall and the Flyers knew there was a ton of offense hidden in Couturier and didn’t hesitate to resign him.
When 2017-18 training camp came around, Couturier found himself playing minutes on the Flyers top line, and he’s never looked back. That season he scored 31 goals and 76 points in 82 games, following it up with 33 goals and 76 points last season. This season, Coots had registered 59 points in 69 games before the NHL suspended its season, and he was well on his way to his 3rd consecutive 70-point season. Coots plays both the power-play and penalty kill, and he leads the NHL in Faceoff winning percentage, having won an incredible 59.10% of his faceoffs. Couturier is such a well-rounded player, that he was named the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association’s mid-season leader and the odds-on favorite to win the Selke award, given the forward who most excels in the defensive aspects of the game.
When we compare Couturier with some of the other centermen around the NHL, you quickly see just how much of a bargain his AVV of $4.333 million per season really is.
Some examples of players who produce way less than Couturier, but have a way bigger cap hit.
Ryan Getzlaf (ANA): 69 GP, 42 points. $8.25 million cap hit, signed through 2021
Matt Duchene (NSH): 66 GP, 42 points. $8 million cap hit, signed through 2026
Ryan Johansen (NSH): 68 GP, 36 points. $8 million cap hit, signed through 2025
Joe Pavelski (DAL): 67 GP, 31 points. $7 million cap hit, signed through 2022
Anders Lee (NYI): 68 GP, 43 points. $7 million cap hit, signed through 2026
Paul Stastny (VGK): 71 GP, 38 points. $6.5 million cap hit, signed through 2021
Derek Stepan (NYR): 70 GP, 28 points. $6.5 million cap hit, signed through 2021
Would anyone really take any of these guys, with their production and cap hit, over Couturier’s production and cap hit? REALLY? Those are no brainers for sure.
Now here is a list of centermen around the NHL with similar production to Couturier and his 59 points in 69 games and what they are currently being paid around the NHL.
John Tavaras (TOR): 63 GP, 60 points. $11 million cap hit, signed through 2025
Jonathan Toews: 70 GP, 60 points. $10.5 million cap hit, signed through 2023
Anze Kopitar: 70 GP, 62 points. $10 million cap hit, signed through 20024
Tyler Seguin: 69 GP, 50 points. $9.85 million cap hit, signed through 2027
And YES, Couturier DEFINITELY belongs in the conversation with these guys. Anyone who has seen him play for more than 5 minutes knows that.
Couturier is often overlooked when talking about top-line centers around the NHL, but at 26 years old, with his point production, his defensive awareness, and his incredible faceoff percentage, with an AVV of $4.333 million, Coots is unquestionably the NHL’s best bargain. For a team that in the past has been often criticized for throwing money away needlessly, the Flyers hit the jackpot when GM Ron Hextall and the Flyers got Couturier to sign this contract.
Coots is one of the most complete players in the league.
Best part? Coots is still signed through 2023. So, enjoy the Couturier ride Flyers fans, you have a special centerman at an incredible bargain.
Featured Image: SportsNet.ca
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