Huberdeau Interview

[just_tim]

If last year he had been playing in his preferred position and was allowed to do the things that got him paid and he still had the year he had, then pessimism would be warranted. But none of that happened - he was played on his off-wing for the majority of the season without great trigger men and forced to play in a very restrictive system that stifled creativity in order to get shot volume from the perimeter. I’m cautiously optimistic that the new brain trust won’t make that mistake again. His attitude seems very different now compared to what we saw at points during last season.

[InternationalVillager]

Huberdeau will get 90+ pts next season.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by just_tim

If last year he had been playing in his preferred position and was allowed to do the things that got him paid and he still had the year he had, then pessimism would be warranted. But none of that happened - he was played on his off-wing for the majority of the season without great trigger men and forced to play in a very restrictive system that stifled creativity in order to get shot volume from the perimeter. I’m cautiously optimistic that the new brain trust won’t make that mistake again. His attitude seems very different now compared to what we saw at points during last season.

According to MoneyPuck, he played 52% on the right wing and 48% on the left wing. Technically most of the time, but essential split. Still probably more than you want for someone who isn't used to switching positions.

The funny thing though, is that his lines were actually more productive when he was on the right side. As a RW, his lines scored 30 goals and as a LW, his lines scored 18 goals. It should be noted that those stats only include goals scored by the forwards, but I doubt if you added goals scored by the defense, that the overall picture would change much.

Also worth noting that Kadri was his best line mate by a good margin, regardless of what side he was on.

The underlying issue was that the team was so thin on the RW. Someone had move over. A big chunk of his time on RW was to bring in Pelletier and give him Huberdeau to mentor him. It would have been more unfair to expect Pelletier to play on the RW.

Hopefully Sharangovich and Coronato on the RW helps the overall depth, although it's still a position of weakness I think.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Also worth noting that Kadri was his best line mate by a good margin, regardless of what side he was on.

I'd say Backlund was a better fit based on the metrics and eye test.

Technically Dube was his best linemate but they played just 51 minutes together at 5 on 5.. They outscored the opposition 7-0 during that time and had an xGF% of 61%. Stylistically they also just make the most sense together based on Huberdeau's history of having success with speed and an offhand shot on his opposite side. Truly shocking how little they were used together.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I'd say Backlund was a better fit based on the metrics and eye test.

Technically Dube was his best linemate but they played just 51 minutes together at 5 on 5.. They outscored the opposition 7-0 during that time and had an xGF% of 61%. Stylistically they also just make the most sense together based on Huberdeau's history of having success with speed and an offhand shot on his opposite side. Truly shocking how little they were used together.

Fair.

I also really thought Dube and Huberdeau should have been tried more. When you look at who he thrived with in Florida, Dube seemed like it would be a natural fit.

Depending on what happens with Lindholm and Backlund, if Dube moves to center, I would try Huberdeau-Dube-Sharangovich/Coronato. Dube plays a similar up tempo game who can open up space for Huberdeau to work and can crash the net. Sharangovich and Coronato both have better than average shots and are good at finding openings.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Pickle Juice

Give us Nylander to play with him and Lindholm, somehow and this team will have just as good of a shot at making waves as anyone!

Problem is whether or not they could afford something like that. There’s not too much dead cap space left on the roster. But resigning Lindholm and Nylander’s new contract would not be cheap.

I don’t see how the math would work.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Huberdeau will get 90+ pts next season.

Who's gonna score all the goals in order to get Huberdeau enough assists for 90+ pts?

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Who's gonna score all the goals in order to get Huberdeau enough assists for 90+ pts?

Lindholm and Dube

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by memphusk

And a 55 point player last year and another year older.

Don't underestimate the Sutter effect, he didn't know Sutter long enough to give him the finger like Chucky and Johnny did

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Who's gonna score all the goals in order to get Huberdeau enough assists for 90+ pts?

Sharangovich

[Bingo]

I'm so firmly in the middle on this one.

I think Huberdeau will bounce back this year to some degree.
I never saw him as a pouty athlete, if anything he cared too much and it tanked him.

But I don't see coaching as the biggest issue that held him back ... it was that matter between his ears.

He forced too many things that weren't there, no look passes, spinaramas ... he lost puck battles, he zigged when he should have zagged.

I do see an argument for the PP being so ineffective that it imploded his total points, and some confidence that could have been gained five on five.

But I saw a player fighting it for most of the season, and said player being largely responsible for his own poor season.

[redmile04]

Originally Posted by Bingo

But I don't see coaching as the biggest issue that held him back ... it was that matter between his ears.

Totally agree, that was the same coach that got a career season from Gaudreau, Tkachuk at the time and 6 others. Say what you want about Sutter, he does get the best out of players often.. not this in this case obviously.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by redmile04

Totally agree, that was the same coach that got a career season from Gaudreau, Tkachuk at the time and 6 others. Say what you want about Sutter, he does get the best out of players often.. not this in this case obviously.

Historical data suggests otherwise. Pointing to one season in Darryl's career where the top line had a historically good season doesn't do much for me. Hell.. both Tkachuk and Gaudreau were terrible under Darryl until that trio was put together.

Huberdeau
Iginla
Kopitar
Selanne

These guys all struggled immensely under Darryl from an offensive standpoint and had bounce backs away from him. It's not as if this type of drop off hasn't occurred before..

Huberdeau was vastly underutilized, but that does not absolve him from sharing some of the blame either. He knows he has to be better.

A player like him is going to turn the puck over.. that's what good players do when they are trying to create. Tkachuk, Gaudreau and Huberdeau are all in the top 10 in the NHL in turnovers over the past three seasons.. That creativity and willingness/desire to make those plays is what makes them dangerous...

Confidence is king at this level and Darryl squeezed that out of Huberdeau by not allowing him to play to his strengths as a player. Huska and Savard have already alluded to this. I think a significant bounce back is in order.

[Yeah_Baby]

yeah, I agree, it was def a 'both' issue.

And when you're in your head, if Jonthan is like me, the last thing you need is a hard ass boss

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

yeah, I agree, it was def a 'both' issue.

And when you're in your head, if Jonthan is like me, the last thing you need is a hard ass boss

[FlamesAddiction]

Everything about how the team is managed and coached now is going to be about trying to keep Huberdeau in a positive mind space. There is so much invested in him, that they need to make it work. I called it high maintenance before, which maybe isn't fair. He faced a lot of adversity last season which he hasn't seemed to face in his career up until this point.

But totally agree with Bingo's post. I don't know how anyone who watched him last season could think that he played well on a regular basis. His decision making, execution, and energy levels were below what we should expect even if the tactics and line combinations were not complimenting his abilities. Some of that has to be on the player.

[dammage79]

Huberdeau will be fine. And the contract will mean less over the next few years when the cap ceiling spikes over consecutive seasons.