Couturier literally doing it all for the Flyers
With their first pick of the 2011 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers selected centerman Sean Couturier from the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs.
As an eighth overall pick, the Flyers expected Couturier to become a forward the franchise could rely on for the foreseeable future. But they couldn't have known the 6-foot-3 pivot would average the fifth-most ice time among forwards and grow into one of the NHL's most complete players.
To say Couturier is turning heads this campaign would be a massive understatement. Sure, his offensive production is impressive, as he's racking up points at a career-best clip (through 48 games, he has 26 goals and 23 assists). But that's just one dimension of the 25-year-old's game.
Couturier can literally do it all at both ends of the ice.
Power-play proficiency
Couturier sits 35th in the league in power-play minutes (152) and has six goals and four assists with the man advantage, good enough for fifth-most on a Philadelphia squad stacked with offensive weapons.
He plays more power-play minutes than the likes of Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and Artemi Panarin. His ability to eat up time and contribute with the extra man is downright stellar.
The Flyers own the ninth-best power-play unit in the NHL, and a major reason for that is Couturier's versatility and ability to win faceoffs.
Dominating the dot
Claude Giroux might own the official title as the Flyers' top faceoff man, but Couturier is right behind him.
His 323 faceoff wins are more than any Philadelphia player not named Claude, and he's converting his draws at a solid 54 percent pace.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
Sprinkle in his solid 5-on-5 Corsi For percentage of 54.29, and Couturier is a big reason the Flyers find themselves sitting pretty in the third playoff spot in the insanely tight Metropolitan Division.
Penalty-killing piece
Sure, Philly still sits near the bottom of the NHL in PK efficiency (75.2), but that doesn't change the fact Couturier might be at his best playing in his own zone.
The offensively gifted center has a versatile defensive game, and has built a reputation as a forward always willing to sacrifice his body and get back on D. This is especially evident on the penalty kill, where he's relied on to anchor the top PK unit alongside Wayne Simmonds, Ivan Provorov, and Andrew MacDonald.
Couturier plays more shorthanded minutes than any other Philadelphia player, racking up 96 so far this season. Scott Laughton is next on the list at 71 minutes.
No other forward in the NHL has played more than 150 minutes on the power play and 95 on the penalty kill except Couturier. The next-closest player in terms of minutes on special teams is perennial Hart Trophy threat John Tavares, who has 161 and 90, respectively.
The complete package
Goals, assists, faceoffs, possession, special teams. You name it, and Couturier can do it - and do it exceedingly well.
Sean Couturier became the fourth different player in @NHLFlyers history to score multiple goals in three consecutive team games. #NHLStats @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/pcJjgcTEJu
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 14, 2018
The smooth-skating big man can also get it done at even strength, racking up 14 goals and 12 assists at five-on-five - good enough for 24th-best in the NHL. That puts him ahead of players like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Leon Draisaitl.
As he continues to evolve into a player who contributes effectively in any scenario, look for him and the Flyers to further their hunt for a playoff seed.
(Stats courtesy: Corsica Hockey)