Since he carries an enormous contract ($7.75 million cap hit by 2029-30) and the “C” on his jersey, Sean Couturier is without doubt 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 broadly considered having a unhealthy, immovable contract for the long-term future, he will get fairly a little bit of scrutiny.
Associated: Gary Dornhoefer: Flyers’ 1973 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hero
Nonetheless, those that have been holding an in depth eye on him could or could not understand one thing. He has stored a sinking ship afloat—the Flyers (9-10-2 document) 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 take a look at, the Flyers management the puck much more when Couturier is on the ice. To quantify how a lot better he has made the workforce, 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), pictures, high-danger possibilities, anticipated objectives, and precise objectives at even energy (through Pure Stat Trick):
| Stat (Even Energy) | Flyers with Couturier | Flyers with out Couturier |
| Corsi Proportion (CF%) | 52.07% | 42.57% |
| Pictures Proportion (SF%) | 53.08% | 47.10% |
| Excessive-Hazard Possibilities Proportion (HDCF%) | 58.72% | 42.53% |
| Anticipated Objectives Proportion (xGF%) | 54.54% | 42.24% |
| Objectives Proportion (GF%) | 44.44% | 40.58% |
With Couturier on the ice, the Flyers are a genuinely good hockey workforce. 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 special 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 workforce within the NHL. They’re terribly outshot and outscored. Couturier won’t look a lot better by way of precise purpose share (he’s a minus-4 at even energy), 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 workforce common.
It’s truthful to have a look at factors and say Couturier’s 4 objectives and 6 assists in 20 video games aren’t sufficient, however all of his scoring has come at even energy. On a workforce that has potted over one-fifth of its objectives on the person benefit, he’s enjoying second-fiddle to the highest unit. In addition to, 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 anticipate him to attain greater than 10 factors in 20 video games. That’s comprehensible. However Couturier is the one heart who’s persistently giving the gamers round him an opportunity to shine. That’s been obvious by the attention take a look at, 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 energy (through NHL Edge):
| Ice Time Share in Every Zone (Even Energy) | 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 quite a lot 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 permits the Flyers to create extra scoring possibilities and, extra importantly, get gamers like rookie Matvei Michkov productive, assured, and glad. If he’s spending that a lot time within the offensive zone, extra objectives 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 able 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 % 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 after they’re on the ice. If you take 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 workforce that hasn’t seen championship success in a long time isn’t straightforward. Expectations are heightened, and watchful eyes monitor your each transfer. Couturier hasn’t backed down from the strain, although. Whereas a prime draft choice may profit the Flyers, placing their Calder Trophy candidate able to succeed ought to be their focus. The veteran and younger Michkov haven’t performed collectively rather a lot not too long ago, however the captain’s presence ought to be a welcomed one.
