Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Huberdeau's agent: "Negativity sucks the joy right out of players"

Ferarri · 02-17-2023, 02:34 PM

I'm having a hard time trying to conceptualize what Huberdeau and his agent want. He's been given a lot of opportunities to succeed and hasn't run with it. I assume he means doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But let's look at the facts, he's been put on lines 1, 2 and 3 at various points in the season. He gets first line PP minutes and provided with shootout opportunities. Sutter has given him different line mates from centres to wingers, veterans and rookies and still nothing to show for it.

If he wants to try something different then what's his magical solution? My guess is he feels slighted that his ice time is down from his Florida days. Well guess what, even if he was given that extra 5 minutes or more a night, is he going to run with it? There has been nothing in his game that indicates that the missing piece is more ice time. So if I'm Sutter of course I'm frustrated that he's trying different things and still can't solve the mystery. Also, he's paid handsomely to be elite and when his contract kicks in next year his numbers from this season don't justify that kind of pay hike.

If Huberdeau is complaining about the negativity then that can be a legitimate point. But it's bs to state that he hasn't been afforded opportunities. Quite frankly he just hasn't run with it. At some point there has to be a leash for a player not performing, but this isn't really happening. As I said he is still getting plenty of looks on the 1A/1B top line and PP unit 1. His OT minutes have been cut, but can you blame the coach? He butchered his time with his 3 on 3 play and cost us a couple of games.

I think the most telling sign was that Florida wanted to ditch this guy in favor of Tkachuk. He had put up career numbers and close to 120 points, yet Florida said no thank you we would rather have someone else. With Tkachuk analysts would always say that he was the type of player that all 31 other teams would want on their side. I can't say anyone is advocating the same for Huberdeau.

Perhaps they saw what we are seeing now and that he just isn't the guy you build around. Being in the east coast I'm sure not many of us followed his game very closely. I'm almost certain at this point that the Panthers were onto something and had no hesitation moving him for someone who brought a more complete game. At least when Tkachuk wasn't performing he was doing other things like creating momentum, big hits and generally being a pain in the ass (which I'm sure many will argue was a distraction and hinderance, but I disagree).

Huberdeau hasn't shown anything and it's quite rich to blame the coach for his poor play. Darryl has many faults but he has given him plenty of chances, line mates and opportunities. To answer Walsh's question about insanity maybe he's right. Perhaps it's time we do try something different and he has a few nights in the press box.

02-17-2023, 02:34 PM	#441
Ferarri First Line Centre Join Date: Sep 2007 Exp:	I'm having a hard time trying to conceptualize what Huberdeau and his agent want. He's been given a lot of opportunities to succeed and hasn't run with it. I assume he means doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But let's look at the facts, he's been put on lines 1, 2 and 3 at various points in the season. He gets first line PP minutes and provided with shootout opportunities. Sutter has given him different line mates from centres to wingers, veterans and rookies and still nothing to show for it. If he wants to try something different then what's his magical solution? My guess is he feels slighted that his ice time is down from his Florida days. Well guess what, even if he was given that extra 5 minutes or more a night, is he going to run with it? There has been nothing in his game that indicates that the missing piece is more ice time. So if I'm Sutter of course I'm frustrated that he's trying different things and still can't solve the mystery. Also, he's paid handsomely to be elite and when his contract kicks in next year his numbers from this season don't justify that kind of pay hike. If Huberdeau is complaining about the negativity then that can be a legitimate point. But it's bs to state that he hasn't been afforded opportunities. Quite frankly he just hasn't run with it. At some point there has to be a leash for a player not performing, but this isn't really happening. As I said he is still getting plenty of looks on the 1A/1B top line and PP unit 1. His OT minutes have been cut, but can you blame the coach? He butchered his time with his 3 on 3 play and cost us a couple of games. I think the most telling sign was that Florida wanted to ditch this guy in favor of Tkachuk. He had put up career numbers and close to 120 points, yet Florida said no thank you we would rather have someone else. With Tkachuk analysts would always say that he was the type of player that all 31 other teams would want on their side. I can't say anyone is advocating the same for Huberdeau. Perhaps they saw what we are seeing now and that he just isn't the guy you build around. Being in the east coast I'm sure not many of us followed his game very closely. I'm almost certain at this point that the Panthers were onto something and had no hesitation moving him for someone who brought a more complete game. At least when Tkachuk wasn't performing he was doing other things like creating momentum, big hits and generally being a pain in the ass (which I'm sure many will argue was a distraction and hinderance, but I disagree). Huberdeau hasn't shown anything and it's quite rich to blame the coach for his poor play. Darryl has many faults but he has given him plenty of chances, line mates and opportunities. To answer Walsh's question about insanity maybe he's right. Perhaps it's time we do try something different and he has a few nights in the press box.