[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think there is definitely a psychological component. If it gets to the point that there is nothing left to take away, it becomes hard to motivate with the stick at that point. It might be time to break out the carrot. Like taking away a kid's Nintendo when he doesn't do his homework, but he needs to have a Nintendo first.

It's been mentioned a lot lately, how it can be difficult for coaches these days to motivate players who already have the bag. The main tool they have is ice-time, but once you have used that, then what?

Not a direct comparison to Huberdeau, but I think back to the St. Louis story in Tampa. For the first 20 games or so, he was not doing much and his contributions were inconsequential. He was complaining about ice-time, but Torts wasn't hearing it, and St. Louis started dogging it. Then out of the blue, Torts through him into a top line roll, and St. Louis said there was no way he was ever going to let it get to the low point again.

Maybe it could work with Huberdeau. Give him back all the ice-time he lost, and maybe he does whatever he needs to, to never fall back again.

Interesting strategy. They could play him on the third line for an extended time and expect him to play responsibly while giving younger guys opportunities to grow. Could always move him up later if needed,I like the idea of focusing on the team.