Friday, June 24, 2011
Posted: 8:20 p.m.Updated: 10:35 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
St. PAUL, Minn.Everyone knew as far back as February, when the Flyers traded away this years first-round draft pick to Toronto for Kris Versteeg, that they would not be talking to many top prospects, if any.
So, it shouldnt surprise that Sean Couturiers first exposure to the Flyers came on Thursday afternoon in Minnesota.
Friday during the NHL draft in Xcel Energy Center, the Flyers selected the 6-foot-4, 197-pound centerman with the eighth pick acquired from Columbus as part of the Jeff Carter deal.
My first meeting was yesterday and it felt pretty special, the 18-year-old Couturier said. They just moved up. I knew they had a lot of interest. Anything can happen at the draft
Its tough to get a feeling with all the teams. Everyone has different opinions. I didnt know what to expect.
NHL
He made an impression on the Flyers scouting staff.
All of our guys liked him, said general manager Paul Holmgren. Last year, he was one of the better under-aged players in CanadaHes very confident in his own zone and has some offensive pop, as well.
Couturier was all smiles at the podium, despite slipping a few spots in the draft.
Im happy to be part of the Philadelphia Flyers, he said. Its an honor and a great day. They have a lot of history. A great team, big guys, Im looking forward to it.
He admitted he needs to improve his skating and get stronger, add more muscle.
The Flyers lack experienced size at center. How many years away is Couturier from making the roster?
I dont know, Holmgren replied. Its one of those questions that players usually answer. Were excited at him coming to our development camp right after the fourth of July. That will be our first chance at working with him.
If Couturier returns to junior, that would be his fourth year there.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I dont know, Holmgren said. Hes a big kid and pretty filled out already. Id say its an important summer for him.
Holmgren added it was a safe bet that there may be some spots up for grab in training camp. Perhaps a spot for Couturier?
Who knows? Holmgren said.
Couturier was the youngest and only draft-eligible player on Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Whats interesting is that Couturier had mono last summer. It took him a while to recover. He seemed to hit his stride after the World Juniors when he scored 20 goals in Drummondvilles final 21 games.
He was consistent in junior, posting 96 points his last two years at Drummondville and scored 41 goals two seasons ago (36 this year).
Draftniks figured Couturier would go in the top six. That didnt seem to bother him. When the Winnipeg Jets passed on him at seventh and selected Barrie center Mark Scheifele, that left it open for the Flyers.
We had him high on our list in the range where we ended up picking, Holmgren said. Every team likes different guys. You never know whats going to happen. Were happy we were able to draft him with the eighth pick.
Couturier didnt seemed upset at slipping down.
Not really, he said. Anything can happen in a draft. Once you get to training camp its a whole new story and I am looking forward to it.
Its going to be up to me to work hard this summer and show what I got. I cant control their decision after that. My main goal, for sure, is to be part of the team.
Oh, one more thing. Couturier played with Brayden Schenn at the World Juniors. The Flyers acquired Schenn from Los Angeles as part of the Mike Richards trade.
Hes a complete player, he plays hard, Couturier said of Schenn. Hes a good two-way forward, who is responsible.
Couturier has NHL pedigree, too. His father, Sylvain, played 33 games with the Kings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and is now the GM of the Acadie-Bathurst Titans in the QMJHL.
Most figured if the Flyers got a first-round pick they would target a defenseman.
Some of the defenseman that went right after Couturier, we liked, too, Holmgren said. We pretty much stick to our list.
Rounds two through seven unfold on Saturday. In all, the Flyers have seven picks in this draft.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanaccio@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow him on Twitter @TPanotchCSN.