[memphusk]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

When you pair him with Backlund, Coleman, Lucic it is.





I don't see anyone being an apologist. Fans are being unreasonable. He made Bennett, Duclair etc all better players. Those players also fit well with him for whatever reason, and the system that team played worked better. I think every single person in this thread has said repeatedly that he needs to be better.

There were examples of Mackinnon, Pastrnak, McDavid, and Barkov. In all those cases their linemates are FAR better offensively than Huberdeaus linemates. All those linemates are being elevated a bit, but they are also better players.

I think you can expect an improvement in the linemates, but playing Huberdeau with two 15 - 20 goal guys isn't going to add up to 80-90 pts with the worst pp in the league on top of it.

He plays with Coleman and Backlund because he's a liability. I actually feel bad for Coleman and Backlund.