Quote:
Originally Posted by jg13
he had 4 years in a row that were over a PPG, and yes the offence isnt there but i saw a stat that showed the 10/28/71 line was second in the league in 5 on 5 goals against during the broadcast.
Again Sutter teaching defence first which was definitely Huberdeaus weak point in Florida.
He has learned / is learning defence at the expense of his ridiculous offence output. It's tough for fans right now but you have to expect both will come eventually the way they did with Gaudreau. Huberdeau is too talented.
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No offense, but I find this too simplistic and just an easy way to excuse the lack of production from the top guys. Learning defense? Huberdeau knows how to defend, he knows how to play prevent defense. He probably learned it as a child and it was reinforced to him throughout his hockey career.
Also, if the stats are right, he’s spending a lot of time in the offensive zone and that’s his bread and butter. I mean if he was getting buried in the dzone shift after shift, that would be one thing. But he’s not, his line is getting lots of ozone starts and they’re directing a lot of shots on goal, they’re just not particularly dangerous chances based on the eye test.
I’m also certain he’s not trying to play defense in the ozone, so there’s something else that’s happening here. There’s probably a better, more legitimate answer as to why he’s struggling mightily to manufacture goals 5 on 5. Was he too reliant on rush scoring in Florida? Does he need to go back to wide open pond hockey again like in Florida? Are his linemates not optimal for him?