Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
Lol - saying they didn't do due dilligence is hilarious. People are acting like he wasn't legitimately a top player in the NHL coming into this season.
Huberdeau was a lock for top line LW on Team Canada coming into this season on a lot of those "Team Canada Prediction" type of things.
And it's not just one season:
19-20 to 21-22:
Even Strength Points Per Game: 0.77
Power Play Points Per Game: 0.45
Total Points Per Game: 1.25 PPG
Top 10 in the NHL in all of those metrics over a 3 year period. And not because he was playing with Barkov - because he only played about 40% of the time with Barkov.
Now this year:
22-23:
Even Strength Points Per Game: 0.5 PPG
Power Play Points Per Game: 0.2 PPG
Total Points Per Game: 0.7 PPG
Now personally I think a big part of the PP struggles probably can't be placed on Huberdeau - our PP has been terrible all year and the coaches seem to not have an answer.
At 5v5 the decline hurts - but overall I do think Huberdeau has been focused on playing a much strong 200ft game. His xGF% is actually the best of his career, effort is not the issue here IMO.
You give that player a chance to bounce back though. Growing pains under a new more demanding coach that wanted stronger defensive play, and the production decline isn't that unexpected.
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I laugh at those that say Huberdeau is finished. He was literally a top 10; sometimes top 5 player in the league over the past 4-5 years.
Guy put up 115 points playing with Sam Bennett and Anthony Duclair FFS.
Duclair was on pace for 64 pts. Bennett on pace for 57 pts.
Huberdeau put up 115.....