Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
Let’s just cut to the chase here because this merry go round is getting tiresome and there’s so many better things in life to do than be on a message board all day arguing about the same things over and over and over.
The conversation really just boils down to whether or not Sutter’s stifling defensive system has inhibited Huberdeau’s ability to produce. The answer is probably a yes to a certain degree.
But then why is a guy like Tyler Toffoli, under the exact same conditions, coach, systems, situation, even less minutes, on pace to best his career high in goals and points? What’s he doing that Huberdeau isn’t doing?
How does a guy like Kirill Kaprizov score 39 goals (49g pace), 74 points (93p pace) on an even more defensively minded and stifling defensive system in Minnesota? How did Gaudreau and Tkachuk do what they did last season under Sutter?
When does the played who’s actually on the ice have to own up for his lack of production here? We’ve seen him play games where he's played well under the “system,” that NY Rangers game comes to mind. What did he do well in that game that gave him success? Is it that he’s just a lazy skilled player who needs his agent to light a fire under him every game?
Like, instead of the lame, generic, blame the coach blanket statements that’s so easy to throw out there, what would be your actual analysis of why Huberdeau has failed to produce this season while others have? I certainly have mine and would gladly offer it after I see your take.
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Well first of all the disrespect Darryl has shown since Huberdeau has gotten here and how has been handled is top of mind. Even today heaping praise on Dube for being the ultimate team guy, and putting the blame on Huberdeau for not producing on Right Wing when asked. Publicly declaring we have no star players when Huberdeau out produced his stars that he chased away.
He also strapped Lucic on a line with him. When you want to compare Kaprizov to Huberdeau, at which point was he playing with Ryan Reaves this season? Thats the comparable you have with dumping Lucic on his line.
Kaprizov is also playing 21 minutes, if Huberdeau was getting that type of ice time and putting up these pedestrian numbers I would put a lot more blame on him. The fact is he is a star player who was told to get in line and play like Trevor Lewis and had his ice time reduced by almost 4 minutes a game.
His utilization has been poor from the get go, got a few games with Lindholm and that was it. Team was 5-2 and Sutter just screwed the season with his line juggling. Hes been strapped to Kadri who everyone can pinpoint is a terrible fit for Huberdeau and have developed zero chemistry but according to Darryl this is the pair he said so today so we gotta live with it.
The powerplay doesn't even run through Huberdeau.
He also has not given him the same rope he gave Tkachuk and Gaudreau if you think those two guys played Sutters way to a T you are kidding yourselves. They relied on Lindholm to do the heavy lifting and get the puck to them quickly as they bolted the defensive zone. Look at the metrics from last season Lindholm got a selke nomination and his defensive numbers came in worse but thats because he was the one doing a lot of the dirty work allowing those two freedom, and he benefited himself with a huge year.
I don't see the same rope give to Huberdeau, and I also see a guy trying too hard to do things the right way and his game has suffered. I do not see a lazy player like you said, the only thing lazy is the head coach who has so far done nothing to utilize the player properly.
Can Huberdeau take blame absolute he can be better, but the style Darryl wants it will not mesh with him. He needs to be given the same freedoms other players have received. I don't see Sutter blasting Kadri for being a puck hog, or his lazy backchecks.
This just isn't a Huberdeau thing as well. Like I have said many star players have had offensive numbers dip with Darryl as a coach.
Heck not even a star but he pretty much embarrassed Dustin Brown in LA and destroyed the guy and he hardly looked like a NHL player. Once Darryl was gone he suddenly looked better.
Why is Lindholms numbers half of what he was at last season? What about Mangiapane? Its not just Huberdeau this is a what you get with a Darryl Sutter coached team. I would argue last season was not Darryl Sutter hockey, this season is more a Darryl Sutter season. A team struggling to score trying to win every game 2-1.
Why is Toffoli producing? Because he has done it before that's the type of player he is and has always been a easy guy to put into your lineup and get production from.