Brooklyndevil
Registered User
There's been plenty of discussion on the Devils board about picking a center at 4. All of the posting is between Couturier and Huberdeau. However, what about drafting Strome instead?
We see Strome the most, so probably biased, but the guy has stupid good hands and fast, explosive player. I keep reading questions about his size/durability, but I've also heard that he's put on a good amount of height/weight this year, too. If a team needs a player for next year, he probably isn't the best choice. Almost definitely needs more time in junior to grow physically and round out his game. That being said, he could, in the long run, be one of the big steals of the draft.
I haven't seen a lot of Couturier, so I would definitely defer to fans of the Q, but I thought he was just awful in the series against the Olympiques. I'm not pretending to be a scout-level judge of technical skill, but the guy barely played. That was pretty unanimous among everyone that went to the games. He lulled about, was slow from a stop, seemed disinterested, showed almost no offensive flare, took stupid penalties. I'm with everyone else wondering, cause we hear so many great things about him, he just always seems to do them when nobody is looking! (WJC, Q-playoffs)
I haven't seen Huberdeau play, just video clips, so I couldn't comment.
From an all around perspective, it's not even close: Couturier by a country mile.
Huberdeau may score more points, Strome may dazzle more, but Couturier's as close to the total package as this draft has.
I'm guessing that there's very little chance the Panthers pass on him at 3rd.
From the sound of things Huberdeau might be moved to a winger int he NHL
From what limited impression you can get from highlight footage, Huberdeau looks to me more impressive than Strome - what a combination of size, agility, quickness, puck skills and finishing. Strome seems the same kind of player, but he looks to me to not quite as quick and agile and fluid in his movement patterns - more an "up and down" type than Huberdeau is. Correct impressions?
I haven't seen enough of Couturier (you'd think there be more footage out there).
Strome has better vision, a better shot, is a better skater and he's a smarter player than Huberdeau. Couturier has some things that could rival Strome, but the only thing that either of them really have on Strome is size (Couturier) and two-way game (both.) Strome is far from a north-south type player. He carries the puck better than the other two and always attacks the offensive zone from a different way.
That what I'm trying to figure out. Does NJ, really need another two way player or a player with offensive flare? When we had the eight pick, I was just hoping for Murphy. Now, with the 4th pick, I'm thorn. Not really sure Couturier would be the best selection for the Devils. I'm actually hoping he's gone by 4.
The way I see it, by all accounts, RNH is an Olier, so that probably means that Lando is heading to Colorado, Florida or Ottawa, if the Sens trade up. I'm truly hope Larsson just falls to 4, this way I won't have to worry about who's the better pick out of the above three forwards.
Couturier is who I would go for, but if you can get Larsson without moving any of your core, even if it cost you your 2012 1st, i'd say you do that in a heartbeat.
I think Couturier is exactly the kind of player to fit with the Devils given his size and defensive reliability.
I also just do not see Larsson falling to 4 given that he is considered arguably the BPA in the draft. I don't know the Avs defensive prospect pool that much, but is it good enough to justify passing on him? Avs fans please weigh in.
Strome has better vision, a better shot, is a better skater and he's a smarter player than Huberdeau. Couturier has some things that could rival Strome, but the only thing that either of them really have on Strome is size (Couturier) and two-way game (both.) Strome is far from a north-south type player. He carries the puck better than the other two and always attacks the offensive zone from a different way.
LOL. Nobody take this guy seriously, he's the biggest Strome homer on these boards.