Huberdeau is an elite playmaking winger- one of the very best in the NHL. We can nitpick his microstats and critique his skating or whatever, but bottom line he is the same tier of player as Gaudreau and Tkachuk. Sutter will help his defensive game.
Closest thing we could have ever hoped for as far as a Gaudreau replacement is concerned. I still can’t really believe it.
Weegar is a bonafide top pairing defenseman. He instantly elevates our D to one of the best in the league and allows Sutter to spread around the minutes. When Tanev went down last season we didn’t really have an answer. We’re much better on the backend now.
Now, they still need another top 6 forward to replace Tkachuk, but if they can find someone who does 50% of what Tkachuk did you can make the argument the Flames will actually be better than they were last year. If you would have told me that would be remotely possible after losing Gaudreau and Tkachuk I would have laughed in your face.
I know the Kadri contract will likely be an anchor in a few years, but so be it. The Flames are all in now so I say get it done. Come to think of it, Kadri might be the closest thing in the league to Tkachuk- like a Tkachuk lite that plays center.
|