Quote:
Originally Posted by Saqe
I gotta say I've read a lot of people say things about Huberdeau that don't ring a bell with me at all and this is also one of them. And not picking on you specifically but thought I'd set this straight once and for all:
Huby isn't an end-to-end skater, in fact speed is his worst asset. For that reason you don't see him bringing the puck up the ice, it's Bennett or Tippett on that line (or more likely to) and when he played with Barkov it was Barkov. If Huberdeau had speed to drive end-to-end he would probably be a generational talent. But he doesn't, he's an average skater.
What he is though is an elite playmaker, maybe the best in the league and also maybe the best passer in the league. He's strong on the cycle and in the corners and can puckhandle in a booth. You rarely see him drive to the net unless it's a wide open lane, he's more of a setup guy. Bennett driving the net opens up a lot of space for Huberdeau along the boards.
Maybe CaliPanthersfan can chime in if he agrees with this or not but this is my impression of him after watching a decade of him in the league.
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We can argue about whether Huberdeau receives the outlet pass from before or after the red line...maybe you're right most of time it's after the red line, which is common for all forwards. So my "end to end" might be seen as an exaggeration. It's more like "red line to end".
However, almost all of Huberdeau's highlights are the same. He gains possession drives into the offensive zone and sets up a play at high speed. He either drives to the net himself or sets up a linemate to do that. Once again, doing the things Bennett is bad at.