Panthers 2011 NHL Draft Watch: Sean Couturier

by Ryan Meier on Apr 18, 2011 5:01 PM EDT

With the NHL Draft quickly approaching, and Florida likely to pick high in the 2011 Draft, we're going to take a more in-depth look at the top 7 players in this year's draft. Read on!

Photo courtesy of Associated Press.

The 2011 winner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Michael Bossy Trophy, which is awarded to the top professional prospect? Sean Couturier. The 2011 winner of the Michel Briere Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the QMJHL? Sean Couturier. The QMJHL’s 1^st team all-star center? Sean Couturier.

So why isn’t Couturier the top ranked ISS prospect coming into the 2011 NHL Entry Draft?

At 6’3" and around 195 pounds, Couturier is a big centerman with great playmaking abilities and a proven scoring touch. He was able to rack up 96 points in 58 games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs this past season, which tied him for first on the team. He is a towering presence on the ice already, and with several more years to fill out, he could be a solid two-way center in the NHL. He has an unusual skating stride, something NHL scouts have taken notice to, but many feel out of all the prospects in this year’s draft, Couturier has the most potential to make a quick transition to the NHL due to his skill set and his size.

Of course, with all of the praise comes a fair amount of criticism. There are many scouts who feel Couturier’s hockey IQ is less than that of some of the other top prospects, such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Jonathan Huberdeau. Many pro scouts believe this will greatly hinder his ability to transition into a first or second-line centerman’s role in the NHL. He is no doubt a very physically gifted player, but many GM’s will likely shy away from Couturier if they feel he will have trouble adapting to an NHL system and the speed of the game at that level.

Regardless of the scuttlebutt, Panthers GM Dale Tallon seems to want to build around big, fast players with enough skill to provide solid scoring depth, and Couturier fits that bill. Whether or not Tallon and assistant GM Mike Santos want to take a chance on a player so frequently knocked by other scouting organizations remains to be seen, but you can be sure Tallon and Santos are giving Couturier a lot of consideration, as he is currently projected to be top-seven pick in the draft and will likely be available when Florida is on the board with their first pick.

Sean Couturier: NHL Top Prospects Profile

Sean Couturier Highlight Reel (with dramatic soundtrack!)

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Comments

Does anyone else get the feeling Couturier is the best fit for the Panthers?

by steeler80 on Apr 18, 2011 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Love to be in on the meet-and-greet prior to the draft with this kid; the psych eval – of all the top prospects – will be one for the books

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Apr 18, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, need to spend time one psych eval…Hopefully, Tallon is better at it than the previous GMs..especially, that awful Florida draft of Frolik. what was it, not a single NHL player except Frolik found (who still has not found his scoring touch in Chicago).

I am not sold on Couturier for one reason, it appears that he lacks the offensive explosive scoring talent that the Panthers need in their lineup. I would rather see the Panthers pick up two first round forwards that have “game changer” and “makes others around him better” than big physical forward. This team needs character that has been lacking….Horton (cough)

by Hawkseye on Apr 18, 2011 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t reallY agree with the frolik comment, but I’m also afraid of the same comparison with Horton. So you’d be down to trade the 3rd pick for both Ottawa’s first rounders?

by Pilchino on Apr 18, 2011 9:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

sorry, i wasnt clear. The overall draft of 2006 was an overall awful draft for the Florida Panthers. The only NHL player found int he draft was Frolik. He also still has not found his scoring touch in Chicago either.

Nope, not down with trading with Ottawa. I would trade any current Panther prospect or NHL player for a draft pick (Kuli, Markstrom, 2010 draft picks would be off the table though).Ellerby and Repik both seem to fit the bill there. Both arent spectacular or game changers from what we have seen. So I say trade them for a NHL player that can make the overall team better.

by Hawkseye on Apr 19, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

don't know much about Couts

Why is his psych eval going to be so disected? Some thing up with him?

take these broken wings and learn to fly again, learn to live so free...

by jacke1ope on Apr 18, 2011 9:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Just saying the Cats have a certain type of player they are looking for (there’s the “character” thing we keep hearing so much about). Everyone at the top will be under a very focused microscope.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Apr 18, 2011 9:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If you check go on to youtube, you can watch Sexton’s interview of Drew Shore somewhere.

by Hawkseye on Apr 19, 2011 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

My only take on this draft...

There are several very talented offensive players at the top of this draft and two very good defenseman as well. The trick for Tallon is who is going to make the players around him better – which is what they need to take above all else…

by badger737 on Apr 18, 2011 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Superb.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Apr 18, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

If Tallon is thinking like that, dont be shocked if he is talking to Edmonton about trading…. Ellerby, Second & Third Round Pick, and a first round pick for Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton needs defenseman and picks….

by Hawkseye on Apr 19, 2011 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions