Hockey 101 on a 3 on 2 is first forward drives the far post, 2nd forward without the puck makes himself available to the puck carrier. Puck carrier passes to forward 2 or takes the shot.
In many of those videos it seems like both guys without the puck are fighting to be the guy that drives to the post.
It makes little sense.
Personally, I'd like to see Huberdeau shoot more or shoot for rebounds rather than attempt to feather the perfect saucer pass over 2 sets of sticks. The entire NHL knows his playbook, so he's easer to defend because of his predictability.
Sometimes, a low shot off the far pad works better than a pass itself. If his lack of execution is what's landing him in the dog house, than as former radio analyst Peter Loubardias use to say, to be different, you have to do different and Huberdeau could use a little "different" right now.
Who on the Flames can really take advantage of his passes. Lindholm is the only one and he needs 2 superstars on his line, not just 1. That’s the only time he was really successful.
I don't think Lindholm needs 2 superstars on his line to play his game. He was great with just Toffoli last year and that's because the 2 played similar styles. Maybe Lindholm doesn't ever hit the 40 goal mark again without #13 and #19, but his game isn't about just goals and points. His hallmark is his positioning, his competitiveness, his checking, his details and being hard to play against. You give him a line mate who embodies these some of these traits and he'll do just fine.
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Lindholm and Huberdeau's game's are far too similar offensively in the sense that they both require line mates who can create open ice for them, and neither of them can do that all that effectively themselves. Huberdeau needs his linemates attacking with speed and opening lanes in order for him to use his elite vision to put pucks into areas where the defenders are not. Lindholm needs his linemates skating and creating open ice so that he can find the soft spots in coverage to unleash his shot. They just don't mesh, and the line becomes slow in transition and too stationary in the offensive zone. I will give credit to Sutter for realizing that early last season when many (including myself) thought it was mistake to split the two. Now, if we had a talent like Johhny to compliment them, then it would be a different story, but we don't.
Lindholm stinks in transition which for a center is a serious concern. This is why he thrived with Johhny - who could slice his way through the neutral zone and gain zone entries with ease. How many times have we seen Lindholm attempt to carry the puck up the ice only to dish it to a stationary Huberdeau at the blueline who then has no time and space and is forced into a dump in or turnover? Huberdeau then get's all the blame.
Backlund is really the best fit for the guy, but they haven't played together at all this season which I find astonishing.
Lindholm and Huberdeau's game's are far too similar offensively in the sense that they both require line mates who can create open ice for them, and neither of them can do that all that effectively themselves. Huberdeau needs his linemates attacking with speed and opening lanes in order for him to use his elite vision to put pucks into areas where the defenders are not. Lindholm needs his linemates skating and creating open ice so that he can find the soft spots in coverage to unleash his shot. They just don't mesh, and the line becomes slow in transition and too stationary in the offensive zone. I will give credit to Sutter for realizing that early last season when many (including myself) thought it was mistake to split the two. Now, if we had a talent like Johhny to compliment them, then it would be a different story, but we don't.
Lindholm stinks in transition which for a center is a serious concern. This is why he thrived with Johhny - who could slice his way through the neutral zone and gain zone entries with ease. How many times have we seen Lindholm attempt to carry the puck up the ice only to dish it to a stationary Huberdeau at the blueline who then has no time and space and is forced into a dump in or turnover? Huberdeau then get's all the blame.
Backlund is really the best fit for the guy, but they haven't played together at all this season which I find astonishing.
I think they know Backlund can play with Huberdeau, they proved it last year. The criticism was they didn't give Lindholm/Huberdeau enough of a chance last year, so maybe they are trying to avoid the same criticism.
It's funny though - Huberdeau played his best season with Bennett, who I don't think of as a carry-in guy (his net crashing certainly takes defenders' attenion though). And with Duclair who is a smallish buy fast guy. I think they figured Kadri was as close to a Bennett as the Flames had.
I don't think Lindholm needs 2 superstars on his line to play his game. He was great with just Toffoli last year and that's because the 2 played similar styles. Maybe Lindholm doesn't ever hit the 40 goal mark again without #13 and #19, but his game isn't about just goals and points. His hallmark is his positioning, his competitiveness, his checking, his details and being hard to play against. You give him a line mate who embodies these some of these traits and he'll do just fine.
No, you want 40 goal or top line scoring if you sign him to the money he wants 9M+
Yes, he is a useful player but not useful enough for that money
He didn’t really work that well with Toffoli last year. You want more than 60 points for that money
No, you want 40 goal or top line scoring if you sign him to the money he wants 9M+
Yes, he is a useful player but not useful enough for that money
He didn’t really work that well with Toffoli last year. You want more than 60 points for that money
Well for me personally, I wouldn't be signing Elias Lindholm to new contract as I've been on team rebuild since 2022. So I suppose I'd agree with you there.
But I definitely don't agree with your second point. I thought Toffoli and Lindholm were the best duo last year. They also easily lead the team in scoring last season with Toffoli leading the team in goals and Lindholm leading the team in assists. All things being considered, I thought they did very well together and was surprised with their chemistry from day 1. They certainly played to the identity of the team.
Lastly, yeah, Lindholm made $4.85M last season, so 64 points and leading the team in assists is pretty solid. Heck, the guy lost both Tkachuk and Gaudreau and still managed to set a career high in assists. Not too shabby at all.
That Florida guy who suggested pretty much the exact Huberdeau/Tkachuk trade that ended up happening, posted a video of his thoughts on Huberdeau's recent issues. I know it's just one fan's opinion, so only posted for entertainment purposes. Not trying to say this is the way it is, but I do agree with some of what he is saying.
Basically, he is saying that Huberdeau had some of the same issues in Florida, but would bounce back fairly quickly. He needs players to make him better and credits Bennett for a lot of his success during the 115 point season. He seems to ignore that Huberdeau has played with players in Calgary that have scored more in the NHL than Bennett and Duclair, but I do buy that he needs very specific types of players around him. He needs those buzz saws that can distract the defense to open him up. Anyway, worth a listen just for fun.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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What sucks is that Lindholm has been our number 1 centre for who knows how many years. And now we're looking for people to play with Huberdeau? That doesn't make much sense. Kadri has found his linemates.. I find it hard to believe that Lindholm is the problem
What sucks is that Lindholm has been our number 1 centre for who knows how many years. And now we're looking for people to play with Huberdeau? That doesn't make much sense. Kadri has found his linemates.. I find it hard to believe that Lindholm is the problem
Lindholm has always been a low end #1 centre. Part of the reason that I think Treliving basically sealed Lindholm's fate when he signed Kadri. Flames can't overpay Lindholm now.
What sucks is that Lindholm has been our number 1 centre for who knows how many years. And now we're looking for people to play with Huberdeau? That doesn't make much sense. Kadri has found his linemates.. I find it hard to believe that Lindholm is the problem
We need to find linemates for Lindholm too, he sucks as well. 8 points in 12 games, on pace for 14 goals and 55 points
We need to find linemates for Lindholm too, he sucks as well. 8 points in 12 games, on pace for 14 goals and 55 points
He's been stapled to Huberdeau pretty much the entire start of the year and they clearly don't mesh. And Huberdeau is bringing everyone down right now. I want to see Lindholm with different linemates before saying he suddenly sucks.
He's been stapled to Huberdeau pretty much the entire start of the year and they clearly don't mesh. And Huberdeau is bringing everyone down right now. I want to see Lindholm with different linemates before saying he suddenly sucks.
He can probably bounce back to what he is, a 60-65 point center.
What sucks is that Lindholm has been our number 1 centre for who knows how many years. And now we're looking for people to play with Huberdeau? That doesn't make much sense. Kadri has found his linemates.. I find it hard to believe that Lindholm is the problem
This is Lindholm's 3rd season as the Flames #1 Centre. Prior to 21/22, he was primarily a RW.
Here is Lindy over the last three years with his most common linemates.
Lindholm isn't good enough to be a top-tier #1 centre in this league, and I don't think we should be worried about finding the right player to play with him.
Flames should also absolutely not be looking to extend him to a big UFA contract. He is actively already trending down, and he's not even 30 yet. Lindy isn't a offence driving #1 centre.
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I am kind of curious, who are some Bennett like players out there that may be available who the Flames could target in a trade, besides Bennett obviously? Guys who make space by being a cannonball, but who can also finish with some success? Boone Jenner comes to mind, but I doubt he would be available being the BJ's captain.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
I am kind of curious, who are some Bennett like players out there that may be available who the Flames could target in a trade, besides Bennett obviously? Guys who make space by being a cannonball, but who can also finish with some success? Boone Jenner comes to mind, but I doubt he would be available being the BJ's captain.
I've been saying since the summer, some sort of Hanifin for Krebs+ from Buffalo just makes too much sense right now. Krebs is getting buried beneath Buffalo's flashier prospects but I think he's ready to pop. Non-stop motor, will hit and fight, great vision on the ice, and he's from Okotoks. Tough start offensively to this season.
