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Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
At times Huberdeau can get filled in. He's not a great two-way player but he's elite offensively. Not too different from Johnny. It'll be interesting to see if Sutter can shape him into a more well rounded player.
Weegar's criticism is a little more unfair from Panther fans. Frankly fans stink at assessing dmen and put far too much attention on gaffes, because when they happen (and he had some bad ones) they are very noticeable. But I think that's generally a poor way to evaluate them.
I've hated how the Flames have played McDavid for the last few years. I'm hoping Kadri can be a big part in a more effective strategy against him and Leon. As much as bad goaltending was a big part of that series, they also let those two run the show and had no answer. That has to change, and Kadri is the type of player where perhaps it can.
The Flames aren't going to out chance and out finish the Oilers, so they needed to build a team that could beat them in a different way. We'll see if it works.
I've been pining for changes to the forward group for years, so certainly I'm keen to see if it works.
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I agree that fans generally don't evaluate defensemen as well as they handle forwards, and yes, they focus far too much on gaffes.
I also agree that the Flames have handled McDavid very poorly. Which is bizarre really - when you're in the same division, and he is a member of your most direct rival, you would think the Flames would have put more focus on it by now and come up with a better plan. Kadri will almost certainly improve that situation.