Couturier showing Richards-like skill on PK

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While watching Sean Couturier on the penalty kill, a couple of things come to mind.

Hes reading the play, thinking about everything going on and anticipating whats coming next.

Just like Mike Richards did as a Flyer.

Ive watched him on TV the past couple of years, but havent done any video study, Couturier said, when asked if he ever saw how Richards approached the PK.

During his six years here, the ex-Flyers captain was the most dangerous penalty killer the team had from an offensive standpoint with 23 shorthanded goals. In 2008-09, Richards led the NHL with seven.

As a team, the Flyers have just four shorthanded goals this season. Their PK units have changed dramatically since last season when they had 13 goals because of new personnel.

Couturier is a rookie just learning the ropes. His prowess on the PK sees him and Matt Read generate shorthanded chances every game.

Before, it was Richards and Claude Giroux. Now its Couturier and Read.

Couturier, who leads all rookies with a plus-13 rating, has two shorties this season. Most of his teammates feel that, in time, Couturier will be as dangerous an offensive weapon on the kill as Richards was.

Theres years where you get six or seven goals and years where you get two, Danny Briere said. Its not about the amount of goals, its the plays. Couturier is able to break plays because of good reads and his good stick. Thats the most important part.

We talk about goals he scored, but how many is he stopping by breaking the play? He is always in the right position defensively. In Seans case, its reading the play. Mike was very explosive. Sometimes he would even jump the gun a little bit in reading the other team.

With Couturier, right now it seems to be positioning. His lanky 6-foot-3 frame, extraordinary reach and long stick are size advantages Richards didnt have.

Richards had tremendous instincts that Couturier will eventually fully develop as he plays more games and gets more familiar with the opposition.

Seans stick is so impressive, Briere said. There was a play against Minnesota where he fell down, the defenseman was about the take off and he reaches, laying face first, and pulls the puck away from him and we get a scoring chance.

Those are little plays that you cant teach. I cant remember seeing someone with such a good stick as him.

Couturier says hes not intentionally looking to create a scoring chance from defense, but the truth is, his entire game, even five-on-five, revolves around his defensive commitment to create offensive opportunities.

What are his first thoughts on the ice?

First, is playing solid defense and taking pride defending our end and getting pucks out, Couturier said. After that, if there is an opportunity, Ill take it. Defense first.

You gotta read the play and pick your times, too. You cant always guess plays when the score is tight. You have to be sure of what youre doing out there.

Sounds like a veteran talking, doesnt it?

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette has been impressed all season in how Couturier thinks the game. Thats not something that every player brings his first year in the NHL.

Its another reason why Couturier and Read are both going to the All-Star Game for the rookie skills competition.

Laviolette said he didnt see enough of Richards to consider Couturier his next twin.

What Mike was good at was anticipating, Laviolette said. He would anticipate passes out high and get a bead on something. He would see the play before it happens. Sean thinks like that. Positionally, Sean does a good job of making sure he is on the right side of things defensive.

Sean is a smart player, who plays an honest game and will get some chances because of it ... He knows what he is doing because he thinks the game. Hes a really smart player. How that translates into an offensive threat while penalty killing two or three years from now, Im not sure.

Right now, we want to make sure our penalty killers are doing the job keeping the puck out of the net. Hes part of that main rotation. Hes done an excellent job all year.

Giroux, who worked in tandem with Richards on the PK, says he loves that Couturier is not afraid to go for it with Read.

If its a two-on-two, theyre gonna go and try to beat guys one-on-one, Giroux said. He has the ability to do that. When he gets chances, he puts them in the net. Its pretty amazing to watch.

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

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