San Jose Sharks
SOURCE: Couture Could Net ‘Solid’ Return in Trade (+)
Logan Couture reminded the hockey world that he has plenty of game left with a career-high five-point night in the San Jose Sharks’ 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
The 33-year-old pivot has scored four points four times – on April 18, 2013 against the Minnesota Wild, Feb. 11, 2016 versus the Calgary Flames, Oct. 17, 2017 against the Montreal Canadiens, and Nov. 7, 2019 versus the Wild, all at home – but never five points. Couture scored both the game-winner and the empty-netter that sealed the win over the Pens, and added three assists.
There’s been a lot of discourse recently, as Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson trade rumors swirl around the 15-25-11 Sharks, about trading the captain. And who would want Couture and the four years with an $8 million dollar AAV left on his contract after this season?
I can tell you, and I’ve had this same exact conversation with multiple NHL hockey ops people from outside the San Jose Sharks organization this season: Couture’s contract is indeed too rich, and his age as the deal advances is also nerve-wracking. But everybody also says that right now, he would be a perfect second-line center for any Cup contender in need.