San Jose Sharks forward grades for midway point of season
Dec 29, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center
Logan Couture(39) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Stats:
| Logan Couture | GP | G | A | P | Sh% | CF% | CF% rel | PDO | Pen+/- | TOI/60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 39 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 7.7% | 56.4% | +2.9% | 102 | +6 | 19.1 min |
PDO is save% + sh%, pen+/- is (penalties drawn – penalties taken), and to understand Corsi, corsi rel, corsi for % read this article. CF% and CF% rel are taken when the game is 5v5 close (within one or 2 in first period, tied in third).
For a while now, Couture has been categorized as the future of the San Jose Sharks franchise. When all the core veterans become to old and stop producing, tons of pressure will be put on the 24-year old forward. However, lately Couture failed to find the net for 10 straight games. If his usual shooting percentage (which is around 12%) was at work during this goalless streak, he would have had 6 more goals, which would put him around the top 10 goal scorers in the league. Couture is 6th in the league in the number of shots he takes, but he is 66th in the league in goals. This goal-less streak was the result of posts, hot goalies, and just bad puck luck.
Perhaps Couture’s most unique attribute to his game as a forward is his ability to block shots. He ranks 2nd in the league among all forwards for blocked shots with 47. Some of these blocks save games for the Sharks. Although, Couture is having a bit of an off year in scoring so far he makes up for it with his assists and blocked shots. His goal-less streak has ended and he is bound to start producing at his regular rate soon.
Grade: B+/A-