What to do with Huberdeau?

[redmile04]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The funniest part of this whole thing is how some people wish he goes to another team and tears it up and wins a cup.

I wouldn't wish that but that is most likely what will happens, it keeps happening so why would it stop now?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The funniest part of this whole thing is how some people wish he goes to another team and tears it up and wins a cup.

If the choice is failure on the Flames or success with another team, why wouldn't you choose success with another team.

Obviously if he can do it with the Flames, that would be the best solution, I just doubt he has it in him to get motivated for the Flames. I think his most recent results are more likely the player we see in the future, at least here.

Nobody knows at this point, and I will be glad if I am wrong. I wasn't sold on him in the first place when the trade went down, and so far that instinct has been correct.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Huberdeau is the 8th highest paid forward in the NHL. Of the highest paid 40 forwards in the NHL there are only three players with a worse Pts/G percentage.

$10.5M Huberdeau 0.70
$9,85M Seguin 0.66
$9.2M Bäckström 0.55 ( who only played 39 games)
$8.25M Voracek 0.55 ( who only played 11 games)


4 points every 5 games is not the expectation it is the standard. 5 points every 5 games is the expectation.

I get your disappointment but we have to look at it realistically. Huberdeau was traded and was shocked and disappointed, but was excited that he and Lindholm would do great things "he signed a long term contract". Instead of building some trust Sutter likely tried pushing him into a defensive style of play and moved him to a new and different position. The guy feels confused, hurt and disappointed, suddenly his passes don't connect with the players he is given He feels frustrated and probably a little alienated. To top it off the style of play stifles his ability to create, so here we have a Huberdeau with no confidence.

Let's cut him a bit of slack. Conroy"s suggestion that changing the
style of play and generating more creative opportunities on offense plus having fun will help the guys step up going forward.

[Red_Baron]

They will find a coach that will help him regain his regular season points but don't expect better playoff results than be had with Florida unless he changes his game. Too many forced plays.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

This is why there’s players who don’t want to come to Canadian markets

Well seriously players don't know how someone In the minority feels on a message board and if they did it wouldn't be the reason they choose to come. I don't disagree with the notion that some reactions are a bit over the top.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

I get your disappointment but we have to look at it realistically. Huberdeau was traded and was shocked and disappointed, but was excited that he and Lindholm would do great things "he signed a long term contract". Instead of building some trust Sutter likely tried pushing him into a defensive style of play and moved him to a new and different position. The guy feels confused, hurt and disappointed, suddenly his passes don't connect with the players he is given He feels frustrated and probably a little alienated. To top it off the style of play stifles his ability to create, so here we have a Huberdeau with no confidence.

Let's cut him a bit of slack. Conroy"s suggestion that changing the
style of play and generating more creative opportunities on offense plus having fun will help the guys step up going forward.

I see this argument alot.

My question to you, and others in defense of Huberdeau is how long should we cut Huberdeau some slack for?

My answer is 87 games.

[just_tim]

This isn’t complicated. Find a coach that brings excitement and a bit of fun to the rink. A coach that actually tries to bring out the best in the roster they have instead of a coach that dogmatically rams a stifling system down the players’ throats, refuses to adapt when results aren’t realized, forces elite players to play out of their natural positions and then dumps all over them when his system proves ineffective. We need a coach that is part of the management team who will actively work with the GM and hockey ops. We need a coach that doesn’t actually drive management and players away. Once we have that, Huberdeau, Khadri and the rest will be just fine. I know Conroy understands all of this and the coach he hires will also understand all of that.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Huberdeau is the 8th highest paid forward in the NHL. Of the highest paid 40 forwards in the NHL there are only three players with a worse Pts/G percentage.

$10.5M Huberdeau 0.70
$9,85M Seguin 0.66
$9.2M Bäckström 0.55 ( who only played 39 games)
$8.25M Voracek 0.55 ( who only played 11 games)


4 points every 5 games is not the expectation it is the standard. 5 points every 5 games is the expectation.

Well he didn't get paid that last year either...omitting last season he has been one of the top scorers in the league the last 5 years

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

They will find a coach that will help him regain his regular season points but don't expect better playoff results than be had with Florida unless he changes his game. Too many forced plays.

Florida had lots of guys with poor stats last season in the playoffs...guys who suddenly learned how to play this year?

[just_tim]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Florida had lots of guys with poor stats last season in the playoffs...guys who suddenly learned how to play this year?

Florida changed coaches this year. Hopefully the Flames have the same bounce.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by just_tim

Florida changed coaches this year. Hopefully the Flames have the same bounce.

Maurice wasn't exactly looking like a great hire until they went on this playoff run. A goaltender in god mode and some clutch playoff performances can hide a lot of warts. All it would have taken is one bounce in Game 5 OT against the Bruins and instead of lamenting what got away, fans are saying "I told you so" in regards to Tkachuk, Bennett, Maurice, etc. The margins between success and failure are so slim in the playoffs.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I see this argument alot.

My question to you, and others in defense of Huberdeau is how long should we cut Huberdeau some slack for?

My answer is 87 games.

I think your answer is wrong. We have seen new coaches come in and it takes time to adjust to their system especially if they are going to a different style. I think we need to see where the team is at 20 games in next year. Ultimately we will see where Huberdeau ends his season next year but throwing shade and hate on him if he is not lighting the world on fire before Halloween is premature.

Sutter tried to smash a square peg in a round hole with Huberdeau and ruined him in the process. Every move the Flames have made in the offseason since should be building blocks in getting his confidence back to the proper level. I think he will be a better player next year no doubt but it might take a little time

[Groot]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I see this argument alot.

My question to you, and others in defense of Huberdeau is how long should we cut Huberdeau some slack for?

My answer is 87 games.

My question to you, and others that endorse booing players on this team, do you think that booing the player is going to help him find his game and turn it around? What does booing a player accomplish? Beyond showing toxic attitudes of people that apparently take a sport way way too seriously.

To answer your question, as long as he wears a Flames jersey. Because I think fan support when a player struggles goes much further than being toxic.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by just_tim

Florida changed coaches this year. Hopefully the Flames have the same bounce.

I hope it's Huberdeau's chance to say " He is the best coach I've ever had! And he made it fun for me to come to the rink."

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Groot

My question to you, and others that endorse booing players on this team, do you think that booing the player is going to help him find his game and turn it around? What does booing a player accomplish? Beyond showing toxic attitudes of people that apparently take a sport way way too seriously.

To answer your question, as long as he wears a Flames jersey. Because I think fan support when a player struggles goes much further than being toxic.

First, I would like to say that I commend your positive approach to fandom.

I've cheered for the Flames my whole life, and never, not once have I cheered for a winner. In fact, I am convinced that I will never watch my favorite team win a championship.

At some point, as a fan base we need to find a way to let the team, top to bottom, that we no longer accept mediocrity. I suppose there are two ways this can be done. 1. by not buying the product 2. by vocalizing our discontent. I find the first option to risky, as the team is not so secure that it would not pull out and move. So the second is my only option.

Will Booing Huberdeau turn his game around, absolutely not. What it does, is hold him accountable. He made the choice to single himself out as a franchise defining player, by accepting franchise defining money.

I'll finish by saying that I hope from the bottom of my heart that he is the winner folks say he is. The Flames need a hero.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

First, I would like to say that I commend your positive approach to fandom.

I've cheered for the Flames my whole life, and never, not once have I cheered for a winner. In fact, I am convinced that I will never watch my favorite team win a championship.

At some point, as a fan base we need to find a way to let the team, top to bottom, that we no longer accept mediocrity. I suppose there are two ways this can be done. 1. by not buying the product 2. by vocalizing our discontent. I find the first option to risky, as the team is not so secure that it would not pull out and move. So the second is my only option.

Will Booing Huberdeau turn his game around, absolutely not. What it does, is hold him accountable. He made the choice to single himself out as a franchise defining player, by accepting franchise defining money.

I'll finish by saying that I hope from the bottom of my heart that he is the winner folks say he is. The Flames need a hero.

Nothing you do or don't do affects the organization at all, and you're probably right to say that none of us will live to see the Flames ever win a championship. Our ownership group is simply unwilling to do what it takes to win. Your choices are to either accept it, or fill your time with something else. Ultimately the only person it will affect is you, the Flames will continue to operate at status quo regardless.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I see this argument alot.

My question to you, and others in defense of Huberdeau is how long should we cut Huberdeau some slack for?

My answer is 87 games.

I think that's fair,. Definitely no room for excuses but knowing how difficult things were on so many levels last season it makes sense to cut him some slack. Lets see if Craig Conroy has actually identified some of the major issues.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I see this argument alot.

My question to you, and others in defense of Huberdeau is how long should we cut Huberdeau some slack for?

My answer is 87 games.

He already used up all the slack

If he doesn’t start the season running, he is done as a star level player

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

He already used up all the slack

If he doesn’t start the season running, he is done as a star level player

What a poor take.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I am not giving Huderdeau a clean slate. 10.5 million dollar players for 8 years. If we struggles five games into the season I am going to boo him when he touches the puck.

Im curious as to what that accomplishes in your mind.