Quote:
Originally Posted by Macho0978
But the big line from last year didn't click the second Sutter was hired either. It took some bumps along the way too.
First 19 games under sutter:
Tkachuk - 10 points - 12 in first 24 games
Gaudreau - 11 points
Lindholm - 17 points
Only Lindholm seems to adjust quickly but Gaudreau and Tkachuk did not just take off the second Sutter was hired.
Huberdeau also was traded for the first time in his career adn was not expecting it. It's been an adjustment and then he gets a Sutter type coach when he gets here. Combined this with an injury he's started slow in first 21 games of the season. Let's see how the next 20 go.
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No, the top line from last season (Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk) clicked right away. They clicked the second they were assembled by Bill Peters back in the 2019 Heritage Classic where we first saw them together. They were then re-assembled by Sutter late into the 2021 season and played the final 16 games together where they absolutely crushed it.
It is true however that Tkachuk and Gaudreau didn’t start off well right away under Sutter, but Gaudreau was playing with Monahan and Ritchie and Tkachuk was maybe playing with Lindholm and Dube. It wasn’t until the trio was finally united when everything clicked. Perhaps that’s all that Huberdeau needs, is the just the right linemates. But I feel like he’s been tried with every forward on the roster. So maybe, the Flames need to acquire somebody.
As for the last point. It’s really just my opinion, but I just don’t see how Huberdeau fits under Sutter’s system. There are certain types of player attributes and traits that work well with Darryl, things like tenacity, ruggedness, a heavy stick, high motor, high pace, high battle and engagement levels. I just don’t know if Huberdeau has enough of these traits to be an effective Darryl Sutter player.
If he can at the very least, start improving his checking game, then maybe he has a chance. But it’s bad right now, maybe the worst on team. Not sure it’s in his DNA though, I think he’s definitely built more for the rope-a-dope, wide open, trade chances kind of hockey that we don’t play.