Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
One thing though - Sharangovich has become much more comfortable at being the puck carrier. That should help.
I’m still on the “feed Huberdeau ice time and pp minutes” train, because I think (a) they have him on the team for years to come and (b) he won’t get better through benching and demotions, as much as some people want to see him punished. People say he has to figure it out. And then they say the team should make it harder for him to figure it out.
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So based on your reasoning, when Rooney comes back the Flames should start him as a first line center as this will make him a better player? He will get more ice time, and then they can throw him on PP1 so that he can be more successful.
Ice time needs to be EARNED. Huberdeau has no longer earned top line minutes, or Power play time. I get it he is here to stay, but at over 100+ games the issue is between his ears. He has 0 points in December.
At this point he needs to be treated like the player he is playing like, and honestly that is a 4th line player or a press box player. it is tough to even consider him a 4th line player the way he is playing. I am sure a few bounces would help his confidence a mile, but it's not like he hasn't had chances. He completely missed a wide-Open net a few games ago and not just barely.
I think he would have a better opportunity of gaining confidence playing less minutes and taking small wins shift by shift. Focus on little things, breaking up plays. not getting hemmed in the zone. Not turning over the puck on the wall. Don't force a pass that isn't there. Make the smart play. Get consistent at doing those things earn more ice time because you are playing better. Maybe then he will start getting some breaks maybe a puck goes off his ass and in the net. Start with small things then work your way up.
The Flames wouldn't hesitate throwing a kid in the press box, they would say things like it's a good opportunity to watch the game from above where it slows things down. No reason that this doesn't apply to a veteran as well.
Sure it's probably another hit to his confidence, but let's be real, how much lower can his confidence actually get. It is too a point that it is kinda like the weather -40 is stupid cold, but not really much different then -45.
Once he takes that hit, there is no where else to go but up.