What to do with Huberdeau?

[chedder]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Vladar has been getting the bulk of the starts lately...he hasn't exactly been stellar either

Yeah, the bumb is 11-5-4 with a .904 sv% and almost set a franchise record for longest regulation unbeaten streak. 2 less wins than the starter in 14 less games.

[Bunk]

You just gotta make the best of it. Find him different line mates next year, hope it clicks, hope with the benefit of having gone through a transition year, he can regain the mojo. Not unheard of that first year of a big change, it’s tough sledding. I will be extremely worried after next year if he doesn’t bounce back though.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Gaudreau did that last year, but in previous years lack of time and space killed him when it was applied. It was a recurring complaint the previous two seasons. He'd constantly dish off too early or give the puck up. Having Lindholm as a C rather than a RW helped him a lot because there was a guy up ice he could dish to, as opposed to Monahan, who usually trailed.

Yes, that's right. It's pretty easy to shut down any player in this league when you focus on shutting down one specific guy by double-triple teaming him. That's why I was always so harsh on his past linemates for not doing their fair share of the heavy lifting. That is up until Lindholm and Tkachuk entered the equation to help unlock his game. It's fascinating to watch how much a skilled player's game can be enhanced with an extra second or an extra foot or two of space.

That's why I think Huberdeau's game can still be saved, not sure it'll be here, but I do agree with the sentiment that he didn't just forget how to play. His game may not completely translate to playoff style hockey, but I think if he found his own version of "Matthew Tkachuk," then he should be a lot more productive than his current 53 point pace.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Yes, that's right. It's pretty easy to shut down any player in this league when you focus on shutting down one specific guy by double-triple teaming him. That's why I was always so harsh on his past linemates for not doing their fair share of the heavy lifting. That is up until Lindholm and Tkachuk entered the equation to help unlock his game. It's fascinating to watch how much a skilled player's game can be enhanced with an extra second or an extra foot or two of space.

That's why I think Huberdeau's game can still be saved, not sure it'll be here, but I do agree with the sentiment that he didn't just forget how to play. His game may not completely translate to playoff style hockey, but I think if he found his own version of "Matthew Tkachuk," then he should be a lot more productive than his current 53 point pace.

AND pretty easy to double-team a player when the other winger on his line is Lucic for a long stretch of games.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by chedder

Yeah, the bumb is 11-5-4 with a .904 sv% and almost set a franchise record for longest regulation unbeaten streak. 2 less wins than the starter in 14 less games.

Is .904 sv% stellar?

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Huberdeau was paid like a franchise player yet all this talk about needing the right linemates and needing the right coach pretty much means he's a complimentary player who produces only in the right conditions--so the Flames investment already looks like a really bad one.
How are the Flames going to land some other elite player just to get Huberdeau going? And why aren't other good players like Lindholm or Kadri good enough to get him going? Who is the magical player out there that is the perect fit for him? You don't pay guys 10.5M to have to go looking for other guys to get them going. At that level of investment, he should be producing based on the skillset that everyone presumed he has, regardless of system or chemistry issues.

Yeah Huberdeau's one of the weirdest players I've ever seen. You watch his highlight reel and you think, this guy is so dynamic, so skilled, eyes in the back of the head kind of superstar. But then you watch him play and on a shift by shift basis, he leaves you wanting more in almost every facet of the game. I remember being shocked at how innocuous his game was for a 100 point guy and perhaps that's why I'm not shocked at all with how poor his first season has unfolded.

If you ask me who would be the perfect type of linemates to get him going again, I would say a hulking 6'4 power forward who can drive the net, score in tight and who owns an absolute cannon for a shot. I also think he would work really well with a speedy forward who can push the pace of play, who has breakaway speed to back up defenders and who can also cut laterally through the middle of the ice to make criss-cross plays and has good touch around the net. I think these types of players would really highlight Huberdeau's strengths while simultaneously hiding his weaknesses.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Is .904 sv% stellar?

Nope, but it’s what you’d expect from an NHL backup.

The .892 that Markstrom is rolling with is what you’d expect from a goalie who shouldn’t be in the league anymore.

Goaltending across the board has been a weakness for this team this season. It’s quite painful to think we have $8.2M locked into the position for the next 2 seasons.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

AND pretty easy to double-team a player when the other winger on his line is Lucic for a long stretch of games.

Hey Lucic and Hubderdeau had some chemistry together. I'm pretty sure statistically, he's been his most productive line mate this season. Seemingly everyone clamored to remove Lucic or play Pelletier instead and yet, here we are, 200 posts deep into a "what to do with Huberdeau" thread and another "Huberdeau is a bust" thread near by.

Looch doesn't get nearly enough credit around here for his playmaking skills and hockey IQ. Sure his contract is an absolute farce and his skating looks like crap, but instincts, ability to protect pucks, hands in tight and net front presence can still be very beneficial to skilled players.

[chedder]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Is .904 sv% stellar?

No, but the points percentage is. And compared to Markstrom, he has been stellar.

[dino7c]

yeah he won 5 in a row with a save % in the 800s before last night
Markstrom is a low bar right now


Vladar has been average
Markstom below average

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'd rather see him score 100 points for another team than 50-60 as a Flame.

you may have missed the part about eating salary and giving up picks to move him...which is what I was responding to

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Nope, but it’s what you’d expect from an NHL backup.

The .892 that Markstrom is rolling with is what you’d expect from a goalie who shouldn’t be in the league anymore.

Goaltending across the board has been a weakness for this team this season. It’s quite painful to think we have $8.2M locked into the position for the next 2 seasons.

Especially when you have a guy in the AHL who has lost only 19 games combined in the last 3 seasons.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by chedder

No, but the points percentage is. And compared to Markstrom, he has been stellar.

“Compared to Markstrom” is not especially comforting.

[Hack&Lube]

Read a Florida fan posting that Huberdeau was chronically bad in his habits and as a passer but what fixed him in his confidence was Jagr.

Maybe we sign Jagr back again!

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Is .904 sv% stellar?

It is below average.Copley is a decent comparable of a goalie who is winning despite meh stats.

[Nelson]

I also like goals saved above expected. Markstrom has 0.1, Vladar -2.0. So, the skaters aren’t playing well, but neither are the goalies! And yet, almost in a playoff situation…

[Elkyiv]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Huberdeau was paid like a franchise player yet all this talk about needing the right linemates and needing the right coach pretty much means he's a complimentary player who produces only in the right conditions--so the Flames investment already looks like a really bad one.
How are the Flames going to land some other elite player just to get Huberdeau going? And why aren't other good players like Lindholm or Kadri good enough to get him going? Who is the magical player out there that is the perect fit for him? You don't pay guys 10.5M to have to go looking for other guys to get them going. At that level of investment, he should be producing based on the skillset that everyone presumed he has, regardless of system or chemistry issues.

Yes and no. Don't forget that for many years the team tried to bring in an elite center for Iginla to play with. It doesn't mean he wasn't a franchise player, you just want your best players to reach their full potential.

[Brick]

Get rid of him.

[Reggie Dunlop]

[wired]

I for one did not have huge expectations for the Flames this year. almost 1/3 of the team changed. I don't think they will make the playoffs this year, and am ok with that.
Next year, things SHOULD be a different story. New guys will have settled into their new homes, and hopefully will do much better.
My opinion.