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Originally Posted by Bingo
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It's funny that it is the same d-man (Weegar) that is being praised for the Panthers' outlet passes in 2021-22.
I don't think Weegar forgot how to do that. But I can't even begin to count the times I've seen Huberdeau receive an outlet pass flatfooted and just end up on his ass.
Huberdeau not keeping his feet moving is probably the single biggest difference to his game since leaving the Panthers, IMO. We can blame his linemates all we want, but if they're frequently unable to enter the offensive zone because their best player missed his outlet pass and didn't have his feet moving and stood no chance of catching up to it... well, things just aren't going to go well transition-wise.
It is clear Sutter didn't think he had the talent to play a stretch pass, east--west style system. But I don't think Sutter has ever deployed such a system in the first place, so not sure what we were expecting? But I do think Weegar, Andersson, Hanafin, etc. ar emore than capable of making those stretch passes if Huberdeau is actually able to receive them.
Even last night Gilbert made a perfect pass to Huberdeau and he just ended up on his ass and it turned into a scoring chance for the Stars.
Good analysis, though, the comparisons between the Panthers and Flames are pretty stark.