Quote:
Originally Posted by InternationalVillager
Have patience. Huberdeau will figure it out. It takes time. Fully expect Huberdeau to have a much different Games 42-82 than Games 1-41.
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I really hope you're right but I just don't see it. Lots of excuses being made for Huby (new coach, new system, different linemates). At some point he needs to elevate his game. What drives me nuts is that his contract means he should be an elite player (yes, the raise starts next year) but to date he has shown very little.
This has the ability to cripple the team as $10 million dollar players have to be game breakers. It's just the reality of the salary cap and Sutter says it all the time "Our top players need to be our top players." Lots of people disagree and have mentioned that he doesn't have to be that type of player but I strongly disagree. Whether it's fair or not, the type of money being given means he needs to be on a different level.
We don't really have many options at this point except to ride it out. Would definitely be a pleasant surprise if in games 42-82 he turns it around but there has been nothing that I've seen so far to support that theory. I'm not talking about marginal gains but rather his ability to be one of the top point producers. Expectations are high and that can cause pressure for the player but it is what it is when you sign a contract of that magnitude.