Huberdeau motivated to be better ... but he hasn't been that bad

[Steve Macfarlane]

There's no reason to doubt Huberdeau's pledge to be better. He's guilty of trying too hard to impress instead of just buying in fully to the way he needs to play. Keep it simple to start and the dynamic plays will come at 5-on-5 later. Gaudreau wasn't that different. He just had a half season with Sutter to get it before exploding.

https://calgaryhockeynow.com/calgary...-to-be-better/

[MrMike]

Chemistry will develop, I’m not worried. It’s early.

[flylock shox]

I don't think there's any doubt he'll get better and the points will come, but I think it probably does him a disservice to always compare him to Gaudreau (though the reasons one might are pretty obvious).

He's not going to be a bigger version of Gaudreau, but a totally different player with a different style to bring game in and game out. It remains to be seen whether he can reach a level with this team to justify his whopping contract, but I think we can reserve judgment on that until at least the halfway point of the season. Until then I suppose we just need to bear in mind that he's not only learning how to play offense with new linemates, but how to play Sutter defence too. Not an easy task I would think.

[Samonadreau]

We are 8 games into a new team, new teammates, new system. He'll be fine, he's been over a ppg 4 straight seasons.

[Flames_Gimp]

he will be like jg and explode about half way through

[CGY12]

Much like Sutter said yesterday, Huberdeaus game is about controlling pace, both by slowing it down or speeding up the tempo, he has that cerebral high IQ aspect and skill that many don't have but he's been caught trying to slow it down too much when situations call for him to up the tempo. This has led to him often being either to predictable or easy to force the way the defender wants him to go and the play dies. He needs to find that proper blend of slowing it down and using his IQ and body positioning to get into the space he wants to and moving his feet and attacking with speed to put defenders on their heels.

I'd personally like to see somebody with good speed flank him, which would help him generate space. Not to say Lindholm and Toffoli on his line would never work but neither have elite speed or an explosive first few strides, this is why I think its taking awhile for that line to gel. Personally I think the guy that fits that bill is Dube. If I'm not mistaken he largely played with Duclair in Florida and his game is similar to Dube in he needs to play north south to be effective. Thus I would go;

Huberdeau - Kadri - Dube
Mangiapane - Lindholm - Toffoli
Rooney - Backlund - Coleman
Lucic - Rudzicka/Lewis - Ritchie

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

gaudreau sucked in his first month here , then was called out (by that hack on tv) and did pretty good for the next 8 years . here's hoping that repeats itself with huberdeau

[Goriders]

I think from watching him that he’s not used to the physicality of the wsstern teams. There are a lot of big fast and physical teams and each game is alot more comparible to playoff intensity.

Doesn’t seem like Florida’s division was like that as much. I think he even mentioned that in a training camp interview.

You can tell he sees the ice very well. I really think he’s figuring out the style of play more than anything and how to fit his game into it.

I do think they should stop the Huberdeau/Lindholm experiment. They are both struggling too much. I’d try the lines from last game for a while. Before they both completely lose their confidence.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

gaudreau sucked in his first month here , then was called out (by that hack on tv) and did pretty good for the next 8 years . here's hoping that repeats itself with huberdeau

Johnny was 21 years old and a rookie.

Not comparable at all.

[SebC]

It's early, small sample size, and he has time to fix things, but Huberdeau thus far has produced 0.81 p/gp less than last season. 0.81!

[Bingo]

The guy is 2nd on the team with xGF% of 60.5%.

A little more puck luck and he's a point per game and this isn't even a discussion.

Like how he's handled it though, good sign.

[calumniate]

Fine line between Huberd'oh and Huberdope! Lindholm wasn't helping his cause.. I'm sure he'll figure it out

[Saqe]

Not sure why people are worried about points especially in the regular season. Huby is a beast on the PP and will always put up good numbers.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

The guy is 2nd on the team with xGF% of 60.5%.

A little more puck luck and he's a point per game and this isn't even a discussion.

Like how he's handled it though, good sign.

Yeah to be honest the bigger worry coming into the season was defensive play.

And that has been fine. 1.27 GA per 60 is the best on the team, and he has a strong 2.18 xGA per 60 as well when he's been on the ice.

You'd like him to have produced a bit more but a big part of that is a 5.36% on ice shooting percentage. His 3.34 xGF per 60 is very strong.

Visually he has looked a bit off, but he's a guy that makes really sneaky good plays that lead to chances that maybe don't jump out when watching him.

[Burning Beard]

I think people are expecting him to be flashy like Johnny. I reckon it's as much an adjustment period for his teammates in being prepared to get the puck from him in unorthodox spots as it is him adjusting to the way the Flames play. Patience people, he will be fine.

[dustygoon]

Signing a big contract can be such a mind bender. And fitting into a new team. I assumed he would be meh for the first half of the year. I don't see a big deal giving it some time.

[Snuffleupagus]

He had a whirlwind summer, I wouldn't be shocked if he was a tad bit out of shape.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Bingo

The guy is 2nd on the team with xGF% of 60.5%.

A little more puck luck and he's a point per game and this isn't even a discussion.

Like how he's handled it though, good sign.

Puck luck aside. When Sutter says he needs to play faster, he's bang on. Huberdeau has been clearly overthinking the new system and teammates up until now and once he's past this, it will all speed up. For me, he should be nearing a turning point given the amount of games played and practice time. Getting out on the road will hopefully really let him settle in and go to work.

It's nice for fans to say it will take as long as it takes, but the reality is; this team needs to win now and are built to win now. Hopefully he can take that next step sooner than later. This version of Huberdeau is ok, but the Flames need him to be elite offensively in order to get to the heights they need to get to this season.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Puck luck aside. When Sutter says he needs to play faster, he's bang on. Huberdeau has been clearly overthinking the new system and teammates up until now and once he's past this, it will all speed up. For me, he should be nearing a turning point given the amount of games played and practice time. Getting out on the road will hopefully really let him settle in and go to work.

It's nice for fans to say it will take as long as it takes, but the reality is; this team needs to win now and are built to win now. Hopefully he can take that next step sooner than later. This version of Huberdeau is ok, but the Flames need him to be elite offensively in order to get to the heights they need to get to this season.

He doesn't need to reach those heights in the first 10 games though...get there by playoff time. Better than great regular season and then #### playoffs.

[EVERLAST]

Lindholm mentioned an aura about Huberdeau. I see it. Dude is so chill. I don't think JH let's anything or anyone bother him and disrupt his .....flow....you do remember DS saying he had to ....ya know the other day. #$it happens.

He'll get his ducks in a row.
His S together.

He'll be F ing fine .....I'm glad he's here.