What to do with Huberdeau?

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

No, Backlund and Coleman are not the problem. They’re the best duo on the team. Actually, Coleman’s been one of the best forwards on the team for a while here, guy has 8 points in his last 6 games while his linemate Huberdeau has 0 points in that same time frame.

It’s easy and convenient to blame Huberdeau’s linemates, but at some point, the blame has to fall on Huberdeau; especially when you consider the chemistry that Zary has developed with Kadri and the way Sharangovich has played with Lindholm who Jonathan wasn’t able to mesh with.

Yeah the blame is on him and he ain’t going to get out of it without some changes

You can do nothing and let him rot

Or try something to see if you can revive him

I can’t believe a guy went from star to zero overnight before he hits 30

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by PuckSlap

Don't degrade Harvey like that.

Sent from my SM-S918W using Tapatalk

My bad, Harvey doesn’t deserve that!

[Vinny01]

Huberdeau is completely washed. Worst contract in the league by a fair margin. If he ever scored 80pts in a season again I would be absolutely shocked.

Not mad at him though he and Walsh took advantage of a GM who completely fumbled the team he built and bent him over to sign a contract the Flames are stuck with. Treliving bailing after creating this horrible mess has all my anger toward the situation focused on him.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Huberdeau is completely washed. Worst contract in the league by a fair margin. If he ever scored 80pts in a season again I would be absolutely shocked.

Not mad at him though he and Walsh took advantage of a GM who completely fumbled the team he built and bent him over to sign a contract the Flames are stuck with. Treliving bailing after creating this horrible mess has all my anger toward the situation focused on him.

Neal instant garbage
Hamonic never good
Huberdeau instant bad?

Wizard sure knows how to pick them

Maybe I am a few but I still have some hope for Huberdeau

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

It’s not ridiculous considering he has little success with them now.

You like to put it all on him then enjoy


I am just thinking maybe try to find some external help since he is their biggest investment.

"Their" biggest investment? Are not a Flames fan?

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

"Their" biggest investment? Are not a Flames fan?

I don’t own the Flames so calling them their is fine with me fan or not

Your obsession of whether I am a fan or not is hilarious. It’s on you, not me 😊

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by Angelino

If you put Huberdeau in the Harvey the Hound outfit ownership might salvage some value out of him.

Harverdeau.

World's most expensive mascot.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by Muta

For a game, I'd like to see a line of Huby/Kadri/Sharagovich and see how that does. Both Kadri and Sharangovich's current play could open up Huby's lanes more and give him a bit of breathing room to take some more offensive chances, especially since he's a pass-first player. Just an idea.

Why would you want to boat anchor the 2 guys who are actually driving the offense? If anything, give Zary or another young guy with them, and see if an actual first line develops.

Just Mangi and Huby together and use the last slot as punishment. Kind of smarten up or play on the washed line sort of strategy.

I just don’t think it’s a matter of will, fit, linemates or anything like that. Huby had one great season due to a lot of sheltering from Barkov, and to his agent’s credit, found a terrible GM to massively overpay based on an outlier. But, that’s just how things are these days. I really don’t understand the motivation to throw buckets of money at half the league long before contracts are expiring, but that’s the new reality.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

What does the package have to look like to send him back to his people in La Belle Province where general disdain for hard work will just blend in with the locals?

50% retained, Montreal’s 1st back, and our 1st for next year? Even at the price, pull the trigger. He’s just a cancer.

might be my favourite take in a long time. well done.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

It’s not ridiculous considering he has little success with them now.

You like to put it all on him then enjoy


I am just thinking maybe try to find some external help since he is their biggest investment.

How much do you invest to try and get him going at this point? Do you risk turning a $10.5 million problem into a $15 or $20 million problem? Do you mortgage the future?

He doesn't look like a player failing because of line mates at this point. We were sold a lemon which sucks, but no point in turning it into a bigger money pit.

[Mathgod]

Seems like the only chance of turning it around is to change up the system and become a rush team.

It's either that or 7.5 more years of the most expensive 4th liner in NHL history.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

World's most expensive mascot.

But would Harverdeau be good entertaining the crowd? Or would he match his poor on-ice performance?

He could still be close to the fellas playing on the ice and not technically be in the press box. Plus he would be getting cardio walking up and down the stairs every game.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Seems like the only chance of turning it around is to change up the system and become a rush team.

It's either that or 7.5 more years of the most expensive 4th liner in NHL history.

One would hope Pelletiers return would help a bit but I wouldn’t bet money on it either way.

[Sofa GM]

Huberdeau needs to watch from the press box or go to the AHL for a while, if he doesn’t like that he can opt to cancel his contract. He is a liability and a distraction.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

Huberdeau needs to watch from the press box or go to the AHL for a while, if he doesn’t like that he can opt to cancel his contract. He is a liability and a distraction.

Of those, only the press box is a legal option. His contract is guaranteed and he has a no-movement clause.

Mind you, if you feel so strongly about it, I'm sure you can step in and pay out his contract so the team won't have to. I believe there's only about $80 million left owing.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

Why would you want to boat anchor the 2 guys who are actually driving the offense? If anything, give Zary or another young guy with them, and see if an actual first line develops.

Just Mangi and Huby together and use the last slot as punishment. Kind of smarten up or play on the washed line sort of strategy.

Nah. The idea is to find chemistry that sparks, and this tries another option. Putting Huby with two offensive-minded players that are scoring on their own, may keep him accountable to keep up from a position of support. As a pass-first player with an instinct for other openings on the ice, the lanes could be more open for him with the other two drawing the attention on the aggressive attack. Huby is gripping the stick too hard and overthinking the game as it is; he seems to rush plays as a result. Give him some space, draw the offensive pressure away from him and try that. Absolutely no harm in doing so.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Yeah the blame is on him and he ain’t going to get out of it without some changes

You can do nothing and let him rot

Or try something to see if you can revive him

I can’t believe a guy went from star to zero overnight before he hits 30

It is the system in the offensive zone that Sutter and now Huska use. It neuters any creativity and doesn't have guys working into the high slot scoring areas while constantly moving to get open. Instead it is a lot of throw it back to the point and stand around. The top teams all take the puck down the wing and try and throw pucks into high danger areas, I pointed out the difference the last time we played Vegas and how they do exactly that. If Huberdeau played for Vegas he would be a top 10 point getter in the NHL right now.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

It is the system in the offensive zone that Sutter and now Huska use. It neuters any creativity and doesn't have guys working into the high slot scoring areas while constantly moving to get open. Instead it is a lot of throw it back to the point and stand around. The top teams all take the puck down the wing and try and throw pucks into high danger areas, I pointed out the difference the last time we played Vegas and how they do exactly that. If Huberdeau played for Vegas he would be a top 10 point getter in the NHL right now.

that might be the most absurd take i have heard. clearly it isn't Huberdeau's fault, no accountability at all, Zary and others look way better playing with the same players and system.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

I don’t own the Flames so calling them their is fine with me fan or not

Your obsession of whether I am a fan or not is hilarious. It’s on you, not me 😊

Or that was just a little slip up on your part. You will just have to be more careful. Bringing in players to fit Huberdeau might not fit what the Flames want to do overall. My guess is they might bring in players that fit the youth movement and hope they fit with Huberdeau.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

It is the system in the offensive zone that Sutter and now Huska use. It neuters any creativity and doesn't have guys working into the high slot scoring areas while constantly moving to get open. Instead it is a lot of throw it back to the point and stand around. The top teams all take the puck down the wing and try and throw pucks into high danger areas, I pointed out the difference the last time we played Vegas and how they do exactly that. If Huberdeau played for Vegas he would be a top 10 point getter in the NHL right now.

That game at home against Dallas they were really using speed up the wing and attacking the middle of the ice.

Huberdeau had two points but should have had 4 (one the hand pass goal and another the puck hit Coleman in the Butt) and he looked great that night.

No idea what the Flames were on that night but it's easily the most creative and fluid they looked as an offensive team all season. And it feels like they were playing a completely different style that night - especially on zone entries and exits.

Huberdeau needs to be better, but it's also clear he doesn't fit in a system that doesn't generate off the rush at all.