Quote:
Originally Posted by ComixZone
He probably wouldn't be signing with us after a season like this - leaving the team with 3 superstars bailing on the organization in 2 years. The team/organization couldn't do that.
So we'd either be trading him at the deadline, or losing him for nothing...and the Flames weren't rebuilding after Florida put their offer on the table. Maybe they should have, but they weren't...so, this it.
I still think Huberdeau is an elite player. He's just here...on this team, with this structure and it's not working. That's a Flames problem.
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Thing is maybe this season actually makes him a better player...he was played sheltered offensive minutes at times in Florida, especially last year when his zone starts were way up above 70%.
It seems crazy to say because his production is so down - but his xGF% at 5v5 is actually the highest of his career on the back of improved defensive play.
I do think he's really been focused on not cheating to create offense at 5v5 which has hurt production a bit (honestly he probably should be cheating a bit more). But in terms of GF vs GA he's actually coming out ahead even if it's low event hockey.
To his deployment as net front on the PP is baffling and might be the biggest issue though.
We have a guy that was second in primary assists, and total assists on the PP to only McDavid the three seasons prior to this one (2019-2022)...and he's not the focal point of the PP and instead running it through Kadri/Andersson/Toffoli.