I would do a couple things with Huberdeau.
1. Put him with Backlund. He’s the Coleman replacement. I don’t care if he’s on the right side - his primary task is defense. Let him play with a centre who loves having the puck on his stick, because he might be the worst puck carrier in the NHL.
2. Put him back on the PK.
3. Tell him every time he gets the puck in the o-zone, his first responsibility is to shoot. He’s averaging 1.5 shots per game. Get that number up over 2 by the deadline, and see how close you can get to 3 by the end of the season.
4. Double shift him with the 4th line when Zayne returns and they go 11/7.
Oh, and the reticence of ownership to buy him out needs to evaporate - Huberdeau only has this contract because ownership made them take a win-now deal for Tkachuk instead of a futures based one.
If they would rather do it in a year or two, fine, but don’t sit here and act like it’s not their mess.
|