[PGT] 15th overall here we come Yotes 4 - Flames 3 OTL

[Major Major]

Just for fun:

Huberdeau Dube Lindholm
Mangiapane Backlund Toffoli
Pelletier Kadri Coleman
Lucic Lewis Duer

[HighLifeMan]

I have been as frustrated and hard on Kadri as anyone here but I also realize that he is a player that feeds almost entirely off of his emotions. We saw what he was capable of at the start of the year with the excitement of joining a new team yet that has all completely dissipated with the way this season has unfolded. This team has a dark cloud hanging over it currently due to the atmosphere the head coach has created, and I think that's affecting Kadri more so than any other player on this roster. In the correct environment I think this is a guy who could really be an impact player for us.

The coach hasn't found that correct balance with this group and I really don't think he's capable of doing so.

[bigrangy]

Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli

Three most talented guys, stack em up

Dube-Kadri-Mangiapane

Worked in games 1-5

Pelletier-Backlund-Coleman

Rookie with the Backlund bump, this would be an insane checking line

Ritchie-Ruzicka-Duehr

Puts the actual talent in the line up while also keeping the face punching

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Kadri's best hockey was when he was with Dube and Mang to start the year. He's been a black hole of suck since he's been with Huberdeau. This team has some good players but they just don't gel.

Not to jump on the "Sutter Sucks" train, but keeping Kadri and Huberdeau together this long is baffling to me. They have good possession numbers together I suppose, but it's just not working. At all.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by madmike

I get the hate for Huberdeau, but at least the guy tries to be defensively responsible.

Can’t say the same for Kadri. For a guy with a reputation as a gritty, two-way forward he’s been an extreme disappointment. He might be the second-worst defensive forward on the team after Lucic.

His two way game isn't far behind draisaitl's

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I have no problem with Huberdeau needing special conditions to be an effective player, I have a problem with the contract he was offered. Supporting players are not worth 10.5 Million.

Here's the thing...I do think there is a strong chance that this season makes Huberdeau a better overall player.

We are all frustrated with his production...but I do truly see a guy trying to learn to also play a more complete game, and I don't think we can complain about Huberdeau's "buy in", IMO he's bought into the team system.

His defensive effort and attention to detail is better than it's been in his career IMO.

At times he's been more physical, and has used his big frame better than he has prior in his career.

The problem has been he just hasn't been able to play that quick passing game that he's good at...in general players on this team all tend to hold on to the puck too long, and I think his skating has looked a bit labored at times (he did have a lower body injury early in the year).

This is actually the highest xGF% share of Huberdeau's career (54.6%), and some of his best xGA metrics of his career. But the lowest PDO of his career (shooting + save percentage).

I think if the Flames were to move assets with him to try to move that contract this offseason it would be a mistake. He was a top 5 point producer in the league over a 4 year stretch for a reason, and not because he's a support player.

[Classic_Sniper]

Well that wasn’t a surprising result at all, pretty much on brand based on what we’ve seen from them this entire season. Another dominating night from the Backlund line and an uneven night from all the others.

Lindholm’s line didn’t kill plays very well and were saved by that disallowed goal. Kadri’s line was awful and he personally played probably one of the worst games of his season. Although, Huberdeau had himself a really good 3rd period. Sweet shot from Walker Duehr though, he’s actually one of the few Flames who can score from distance.

Ugly overtime though. The Coyotes controlled most of the overtime playing it safe and waiting for just one slip up. Pelletier definitely looked inexperienced on that play overcommitting to Kadri’s man there. He’ll learn from that though.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Well that wasn’t a surprising result at all, pretty much on brand based on what we’ve seen from them this entire season. Another dominating night from the Backlund line and an uneven night from all the others.

Lindholm’s line didn’t kill plays very well and were saved by that disallowed goal. Kadri’s line was awful and he personally played probably one of the worst games of his season. Although, Huberdeau had himself a really good 3rd period. Sweet shot from Walker Duehr though, he’s actually one of the few Flames who can score from distance.

Ugly overtime though. The Coyotes controlled most of the overtime playing it safe and waiting for just one slip up. Pelletier definitely looked inexperienced on that play overcommitting to Kadri’s man there. He’ll learn from that though.

Maybe Pelletier's worst game? Which is not saying much. But I imagine his leash is short.

I'm not usually on actual mistakes - they happen. Look at Tanev blowing a tire. But yeah, Kadri was just not there at all.

Didn't even see much from the usually consistent Backlund line.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Here's the thing...I do think there is a strong chance that this season makes Huberdeau a better overall player.

We are all frustrated with his production...but I do truly see a guy trying to learn to also play a more complete game, and I don't think we can complain about Huberdeau's "buy in", IMO he's bought into the team system.

His defensive effort and attention to detail is better than it's been in his career IMO.

At times he's been more physical, and has used his big frame better than he has prior in his career.

The problem has been he just hasn't been able to play that quick passing game that he's good at...in general players on this team all tend to hold on to the puck too long, and I think his skating has looked a bit labored at times (he did have a lower body injury early in the year).

This is actually the highest xGF% share of Huberdeau's career (54.6%), and some of his best xGA metrics of his career. But the lowest PDO of his career (shooting + save percentage).

I think if the Flames were to move assets with him to try to move that contract this offseason it would be a mistake. He was a top 5 point producer in the league over a 4 year stretch for a reason, and not because he's a support player.

He also came here full bought into playing 2 way hockey and being better. He said it that playing Tampa and getting their ass kicked the last two years he knows that in order to win you have to play better 2 way hockey and he has fully bought in.

Someone mentioned Yzerman buying into playing a 2 way game. I wonder if that came with having a massive reduction in ice time and being glued to players who have zero chemistry with.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by redmile04

He wasnt a supporting player at the time, he came to Calgary then became one.

He isn’t a supporting player now, he’s the most talented forward on the team.

The team is not built around what he’s good at and this is compounded by the way the coach is misusing him.

Like, the idea that a player of Huberdeau’s caliber can’t (or won’t) walk into Darryl’s office after two games on the right side and say “I’m a left winger, leave
Me there” is a ludicrous - the forest has been lost for the trees.

[Tsawwassen]

Postgame links
https://stats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl/recap/146753
https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401459653
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/games/2466705