Quote:
Originally Posted by Saqe
I'm thinking about how Huberdeau and became a PPG+ player in Florida and there's one common thread at least I can think off. It happened under two coaches who both ran offensive minded systems. First one was Bob Boughner who was trash as a HC but ran a firewagon style of game, Florida was top 5 team in scoring and bottom 5 in goals against under him. Then Quenneville came and say what you like about his off ice stuff, he was an absolutely incredible HC who elevated everyone's game. The first year was a write off because he didn't like the personel and they didn't fit his system. But then the next year the Panthers still were a high scoring team but now also became a top 10 team in goals against.
So Huberdeau became a PPG player under offensive systems that either were firewagon or allowed for creativity and played to the strengths of the players. That's probably something Huberdeau needs, obviously there are clear chemistry issues now too and his confidence is gone. But Sutter ran a very defensive minded system and with Huska, the other problems seem to have compounded.
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Agree with most of what you're saying, but I think it'd be very difficult for this team to adopt a firewagon brand of hockey given that the current roster construction.
Management for years have built a line up that can check for their chances, every coach Treliving hired has uttered this phrase. So I don't think this roster is even built to be successful playing that brand of hockey. That's why the decision to trade for Huberdeau and re-sign him made no sense. It's partly why he's had such a hard time finding chemistry with anyone because they all play such clashing styles in comparison.
I've wondered in the past if the pro scouting staff knew what they were doing. But after hearing John Bean and Don Maloney speak, this organization is run by the wrong people who don't know squat about the game. If someone like me could see that Huberdeau was doomed to fail here, then surely they had to have had some clue.