What to do with Huberdeau?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Him throwing up a careless behind the back pass at centre ice onto the stick of a Knights player last game was definitely due to not being familiar with his teammates

Actually, that’s the exact sort of play that works a lot better with ten years of memory telling you someone should be there.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

My view is that the explanation of why Huberdeau has fallen off the map is unexplainable.

There is really no precedent for it.

I've seen one year wonders turn unproductive, but we are talking about a player with a long history of success.

Scott Gomez.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bonded

The weirdest thing is that he killed with Bennett and Duclair on his line at 5v5. It isn't like he was sponging off all stars. No idea what the solution is but feel like he just needs to simplify his game and move his feet more. Shoot more and make simple passes.

I actually have had little issue with his moving his feet and making (mostly) simple plays since he went to Backlund's line. And as a line they've been pretty effective.

I think last year's lack of success (mostly with Lindholm and Kadri) affected his confidence and while he got some back with Backlund at the end of the year, he got moved around again at the top of this year. Let's see if the improvement continues with steady linemates in Backlund and Coleman. He won't get 114 with those guys, but he will probably have better defensive stats (albeit tougher matchups might affect that).

If he ends up being somewhat overpaid but an effective player and a good teammate on a rebuilding team, that's an acceptable outcome under the circumstances.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Actually, that’s the exact sort of play that works a lot better with ten years of memory telling you someone should be there.

All those years of playing with Bennett and Duclair really paid off for him.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Scott Gomez.

Not even though. He never hit above PPG in a single season

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If he ends up being somewhat overpaid but an effective player and a good teammate on a rebuilding team, that's an acceptable outcome under the circumstances.

That is pretty much my hope at this point

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I actually have had little issue with his moving his feet and making (mostly) simple plays since he went to Backlund's line. And as a line they've been pretty effective.

I think last year's lack of success (mostly with Lindholm and Kadri) affected his confidence and while he got some back with Backlund at the end of the year, he got moved around again at the top of this year. Let's see if the improvement continues with steady linemates in Backlund and Coleman. He won't get 114 with those guys, but he will probably have better defensive stats (albeit tougher matchups might affect that).

If he ends up being somewhat overpaid but an effective player and a good teammate on a rebuilding team, that's an acceptable outcome under the circumstances.

Is Backlund/Coleman/Hubereau more effective than Backlund/Coleman/Mangiapane?

IMO you need to dig a little deeper for the reasons why that line is effective.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bonded

That is pretty much my hope at this point

Currently 3rd on the team in points and assists and in a big logjam in goals. Not a lot of points, but I guess it shows the entire team is offensively challened on an individual basis (they sit 19th in team goalscoring).

[klikitiklik]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don’t think you know what a gatekeeper is.

You are trolling because you post fact free BS in hopes of getting a response. Classic trolling. Fan or no.

Fact free BS? have you seen his on ice play?



Honestly I'm not going to argue further with you because I believe we both want the same thing. You are just more positive about a guy that has been given every opportunity to succeed but hasn't.



This is such a unique situation. I hope he becomes a Flames legend and is loved by the entire city but man it is going to take more than a few games of mediocre play before he earns it.


A season and 1/4 of his on ice play has really done nothing to make me believe he will be successful in a Flames uniform.


No trolling

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by klikitiklik

Fact free BS? have you seen his on ice play?

His play has been disappointing but I really don't see the disengaged and sulking behaviour you railed on him for.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Scott Gomez.

Yes, although he had only one season above 70 points, so he certainly wasn't as good as Huberdeau. But he did fall suddenly enough.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Currently 3rd on the team in points and assists and in a big logjam in goals. Not a lot of points, but I guess it shows the entire team is offensively challened on an individual basis (they sit 19th in team goalscoring).

On pace for 48 points.

You can't hide away from that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by klikitiklik

Fact free BS? have you seen his on ice play?



Honestly I'm not going to argue further with you because I believe we both want the same thing. You are just more positive about a guy that has been given every opportunity to succeed but hasn't.



This is such a unique situation. I hope he becomes a Flames legend and is loved by the entire city but man it is going to take more than a few games of mediocre play before he earns it.


A season and 1/4 of his on ice play has really done nothing to make me believe he will be successful in a Flames uniform.


No trolling

Yes, you talk of him being a pylon. Untrue. You talk about lack of effort and attitude. Everyone sees it's untrue.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by klikitiklik

Great win last night against Vegas.


Watching Huber'doh handle the puck is so frustrating. I'm not sure if the NHL keeps track of how many times one player turns over the puck but Every play dies on his stick.

He is just awful.

The team wins not because of him, but in spite of him. We have many who defend him for his effort but at what point do you take him out of the line up?


Send him down. Bench him. Who cares? Just get him away from the positive thing we have going. His body language is so negative and he seems completely emotionally checked out.

He barely participates in the celebration after a win.

Watching him on the bench hunched over and hiding his face is so unprofessional in my opinion.

I would not complain if the Flames sent him down to the Wranglers so he can once again have an appreciation of what it takes to make it to the show.


I've tried so hard to like this guy, but his play and body language lacks likeableness. Soft as butter. How is he on the first line?

Sorry Rant over. Again this is just my personal opinion on watching him "play". Many will not agree as he seems to be a great guy and advance stats may prove me wrong.

All of the bold is untrue.

Not every play dies on his stick. He definitely does not seem emotionally checked out. If anything he tries too hard on some plays to make something great happen. last guy off the ice in warmup (with Weegar). He celebrates after every win. He hunched over one time (after not coming out as the extra man) in one game. That's it. Not soft as butter. Not on the first line.

You can have your own opinion. But try to make it at least resemble the facts.

[klikitiklik]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yes, you talk of him being a pylon. Untrue. You talk about lack of effort and attitude. Everyone sees it's untrue.

My opinion. My rant. He is a pylon and a turnover specialist. His body language on the bench is so negative. Watch the last game he is once again hunched over. Woe is me.


Anyways I'm glad you know that everyone sees its untrue. I'm wrong. You are right.
Best player on the team and worth every penny.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by klikitiklik

My opinion. My rant. He is a pylon and a turnover specialist. His body language on the bench is so negative. Watch the last game he is once again hunched over. Woe is me.


Anyways I'm glad you know that everyone sees its untrue. I'm wrong. You are right.
Best player on the team and worth every penny.

lol yup, everyone is saying he is 100% worth his contract Two things can be true, he isn’t earning his contract and he is still a good locker room guy and positive. The negative body language on the bench is really from one clip where he got benched and then later in the same game he was the first one to fist bump Coleman.

[dino7c]

he lost me at "send him to the Wranglers"

there is no point in debating someone who doesn't grasp the basics

[Calgary4LIfe]

I guess people see what they want to see. I counted exactly one game in which I witnessed Huberdeau showing any negative emotions, and that's the benching game. However, it was more 'heart-wrenching' or sad, not pouting or getting angry. He still celebrated goals, still came out onto the ice afterwards and celebrated with the team after the win. That's a good teammate. James Neal - that was a bad teammate.



The first half of the season, I do think he was almost James-Neal-esque in his ability to make people around him worse. The constant turnovers, even on short-range passes, the bad decision making in trying to unnecessarily force things when an easier and safer play was available - things like that. Since playing with Backlund, he has been steadily improving, and I do hope that if given a long enough rope, he can regain a lot of his confidence and rebound back into being a difference maker. Right now, I would have to rate him as a competent player. That's a significant improvement over "doesn't look like a replacement level player". If not for his past performances and contract, he would never have gotten that much rope. However, I will also argue that he has earned a lot of rope given his history (though obviously earned in Florida).



Just keep him stapled to that line, let him regrow his confidence, and see what he can become. I don't think it is crazy to think that maybe he can return to becoming a PPG player again. I also would move that deal quickly if there was ever an offer in which the Flames don't have to attach a sweetener and/or take a bad deal back. I don't think it is crazy for him to return to becoming a PPG franchise-type player, but I also don't think it is anywhere near guaranteed either. Move him if an opportunity arises, keep him on Backlund's wing for the foreseeable future (a half season at least?) and see what happens. No need to actually do anything else at this point, as he seems to be improving.


I do not question his work-ethic or his anything I have noticed about his behaviour. I would be surprised if there was even any behind-the-scenes stuff. He seems like a genuinely good teammate. I think he just suffers from a massive confidence issue thing, and hopefully given enough time with Backlund, he can beat it.

[GioforPM]

I mean "giveaway machine" - Huberdeau isn't even in the top 25. He's 58% and 59% Corsi and Fenwick respectively, which ain't bad and doesn't point to a guy who's as bad as being suggested.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I guess people see what they want to see. I counted exactly one game in which I witnessed Huberdeau showing any negative emotions, and that's the benching game. However, it was more 'heart-wrenching' or sad, not pouting or getting angry. He still celebrated goals, still came out onto the ice afterwards and celebrated with the team after the win. That's a good teammate. James Neal - that was a bad teammate.



The first half of the season, I do think he was almost James-Neal-esque in his ability to make people around him worse. The constant turnovers, even on short-range passes, the bad decision making in trying to unnecessarily force things when an easier and safer play was available - things like that. Since playing with Backlund, he has been steadily improving, and I do hope that if given a long enough rope, he can regain a lot of his confidence and rebound back into being a difference maker. Right now, I would have to rate him as a competent player. That's a significant improvement over "doesn't look like a replacement level player". If not for his past performances and contract, he would never have gotten that much rope. However, I will also argue that he has earned a lot of rope given his history (though obviously earned in Florida).



Just keep him stapled to that line, let him regrow his confidence, and see what he can become. I don't think it is crazy to think that maybe he can return to becoming a PPG player again. I also would move that deal quickly if there was ever an offer in which the Flames don't have to attach a sweetener and/or take a bad deal back. I don't think it is crazy for him to return to becoming a PPG franchise-type player, but I also don't think it is anywhere near guaranteed either. Move him if an opportunity arises, keep him on Backlund's wing for the foreseeable future (a half season at least?) and see what happens. No need to actually do anything else at this point, as he seems to be improving.


I do not question his work-ethic or his anything I have noticed about his behaviour. I would be surprised if there was even any behind-the-scenes stuff. He seems like a genuinely good teammate. I think he just suffers from a massive confidence issue thing, and hopefully given enough time with Backlund, he can beat it.

Yeah, everything points to him being a good teammate. he was collecting milestone pucks and awarding them after the game the other day (one was Backlund so that's why it wasn't the captain).