What to do with Huberdeau?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Most of the forwards have been benched within games at certain times. That's how Huska rolls. The players have a chance to establish themselves in the first two periods, then he shortens the bench in the third and goes with the guys who are rolling that night. Huberdeau is lucky he was put with Coleman and Backlund for a while or he would have been benched more.

Yes, Huska shortens the bench all the time. The comment was more based on the suggestions of press box, 4th line etc. I just don’t think that will work.

[Reggie Dunlop]

He's good guy!!

Why you heff to be mad??? Is only game.

[Voodooman]

To me, the issue is that they are running out of options to try and motivate the player. They’ve tried more ice time, more PP time, literally every potential line mate, and gotten nowhere. The coach got fired (although the system still remains), and watching the recent games, it now looks like the player is checking out mentally and the GAF meter is pretty close to zero. So, benching likely doesn’t do anything now either.

It’s likely the biggest misstep in franchise history, and there is no way out of it.

[GFG#1]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

One thing though - Sharangovich has become much more comfortable at being the puck carrier. That should help.

I’m still on the “feed Huberdeau ice time and pp minutes” train, because I think (a) they have him on the team for years to come and (b) he won’t get better through benching and demotions, as much as some people want to see him punished. People say he has to figure it out. And then they say the team should make it harder for him to figure it out.

So based on your reasoning, when Rooney comes back the Flames should start him as a first line center as this will make him a better player? He will get more ice time, and then they can throw him on PP1 so that he can be more successful.

Ice time needs to be EARNED. Huberdeau has no longer earned top line minutes, or Power play time. I get it he is here to stay, but at over 100+ games the issue is between his ears. He has 0 points in December.

At this point he needs to be treated like the player he is playing like, and honestly that is a 4th line player or a press box player. it is tough to even consider him a 4th line player the way he is playing. I am sure a few bounces would help his confidence a mile, but it's not like he hasn't had chances. He completely missed a wide-Open net a few games ago and not just barely.

I think he would have a better opportunity of gaining confidence playing less minutes and taking small wins shift by shift. Focus on little things, breaking up plays. not getting hemmed in the zone. Not turning over the puck on the wall. Don't force a pass that isn't there. Make the smart play. Get consistent at doing those things earn more ice time because you are playing better. Maybe then he will start getting some breaks maybe a puck goes off his ass and in the net. Start with small things then work your way up.

The Flames wouldn't hesitate throwing a kid in the press box, they would say things like it's a good opportunity to watch the game from above where it slows things down. No reason that this doesn't apply to a veteran as well.

Sure it's probably another hit to his confidence, but let's be real, how much lower can his confidence actually get. It is too a point that it is kinda like the weather -40 is stupid cold, but not really much different then -45.

Once he takes that hit, there is no where else to go but up.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

To me, the issue is that they are running out of options to try and motivate the player. They’ve tried more ice time, more PP time, literally every potential line mate, and gotten nowhere. The coach got fired (although the system still remains), and watching the recent games, it now looks like the player is checking out mentally and the GAF meter is pretty close to zero. So, benching likely doesn’t do anything now either.

It’s likely the biggest misstep in franchise history, and there is no way out of it.

not every one likes the salary cap, but i do, it makes teams accountable for the decisions they make, the Rangers/Leafs cant just continue to spend as much as they want, not that they won anything in that system either. As a flames fan this sucks a lot but i had no problem with teams like the Oilers signing Nurse and getting in cap trouble, so i think the same with the Flames, nobody forced them to sign him before he ever played a game. the fact that the player can mail it in and screw the team over doesnt seem right, not sure what the answer is.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by GFG#1

So based on your reasoning, when Rooney comes back the Flames should start him as a first line center as this will make him a better player? He will get more ice time, and then they can throw him on PP1 so that he can be more successful.

Ice time needs to be EARNED. Huberdeau has no longer earned top line minutes, or Power play time. I get it he is here to stay, but at over 100+ games the issue is between his ears. He has 0 points in December.

At this point he needs to be treated like the player he is playing like, and honestly that is a 4th line player or a press box player. it is tough to even consider him a 4th line player the way he is playing. I am sure a few bounces would help his confidence a mile, but it's not like he hasn't had chances. He completely missed a wide-Open net a few games ago and not just barely.

I think he would have a better opportunity of gaining confidence playing less minutes and taking small wins shift by shift. Focus on little things, breaking up plays. not getting hemmed in the zone. Not turning over the puck on the wall. Don't force a pass that isn't there. Make the smart play. Get consistent at doing those things earn more ice time because you are playing better. Maybe then he will start getting some breaks maybe a puck goes off his ass and in the net. Start with small things then work your way up.

The Flames wouldn't hesitate throwing a kid in the press box, they would say things like it's a good opportunity to watch the game from above where it slows things down. No reason that this doesn't apply to a veteran as well.

Sure it's probably another hit to his confidence, but let's be real, how much lower can his confidence actually get. It is too a point that it is kinda like the weather -40 is stupid cold, but not really much different then -45.

Once he takes that hit, there is no where else to go but up.

that is what it truly comes down to, I feel like the flames players understood what the coaches were trying to do by giving Huberdeau PP time and extra ice time to try and get him going. At some point, i feel like the players will not accept this, good play needs to be rewarded. Its nice to finally see that number 10 is not on the first PP, he doesnt deserve it and it isnt about punishing him, the team owes it to ALL the players to put them in a position to succeed. Not to try and acquire any player that huberdeau has had success with in the past. I feel like Huberdeau is not a mentally strong guy, perhaps i am wrong but thats what it looks like.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

not every one likes the salary cap, but i do, it makes teams accountable for the decisions they make, the Rangers/Leafs cant just continue to spend as much as they want, not that they won anything in that system either. As a flames fan this sucks a lot but i had no problem with teams like the Oilers signing Nurse and getting in cap trouble, so i think the same with the Flames, nobody forced them to sign him before he ever played a game. the fact that the player can mail it in and screw the team over doesnt seem right, not sure what the answer is.

I totally agree…the aggravating part is how even under a salary cap and guaranteed contracts, teams have to bend over backwards to make players like this feel special. They rush to sign huge contracts well before they have to, and in cases like this, it just wasn’t warranted. Where was the risk in letting him play out the final year of his existing deal and seeing what you have? But no, Tre rolled out the welcome wagon and now we’re suffering forever and he somehow parlayed over a decade of these kind of mistakes into the premier GM job in the league.

It’s mind boggling. And in the meantime, all we can hope is that the player takes up scootering or something.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by GFG#1

At this point he needs to be treated like the player he is playing like, and honestly that is a 4th line player or a press box player. it is tough to even consider him a 4th line player the way he is playing. I am sure a few bounces would help his confidence a mile, but it's not like he hasn't had chances. He completely missed a wide-Open net a few games ago and not just barely.

I think he would have a better opportunity of gaining confidence playing less minutes and taking small wins shift by shift. Focus on little things, breaking up plays. not getting hemmed in the zone. Not turning over the puck on the wall. Don't force a pass that isn't there. Make the smart play. Get consistent at doing those things earn more ice time because you are playing better. Maybe then he will start getting some breaks maybe a puck goes off his ass and in the net. Start with small things then work your way up.

That's exactly what he has been doing though, but fan's can't look past the production which is certainly understandable given the contract.

Over this 12 game pointless streak Huberdeau amongst forwards on this team at five on five ;

1st in CF% (55.26%)
1st in xGF (7.84)
1st in SCF (88)
1st in SCF% (55.63%)
1st in HDCF (38)
1st in HDCF% (58.46%)
2nd in SF (88)
2nd in xGF% (54.98%)

11th out of 12 in on ice shooting % (4.55%)

That's not a guy you take out of the lineup. He's playing significantly better than the counting stats would lead you to believe. Guys like Lindholm and Mangiapane on the other hand..

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

I totally agree…the aggravating part is how even under a salary cap and guaranteed contracts, teams have to bend over backwards to make players like this feel special. They rush to sign huge contracts well before they have to, and in cases like this, it just wasn’t warranted. Where was the risk in letting him play out the final year of his existing deal and seeing what you have? But no, Tre rolled out the welcome wagon and now we’re suffering forever and he somehow parlayed over a decade of these kind of mistakes into the premier GM job in the league.

It’s mind boggling. And in the meantime, all we can hope is that the player takes up scootering or something.

You are just making up arguments. No one has said this.

[iLoveLamp]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

That's exactly what he has been doing though, but fan's can't look past the production which is certainly understandable given the contract.

Over this 12 game pointless streak Huberdeau amongst forwards on this team at five on five ;

1st in CF% (55.26%)
1st in xGF (7.84)
1st in SCF (88)
1st in SCF% (55.63%)
1st in HDCF (38)
1st in HDCF% (58.46%)
2nd in SF (88)
2nd in xGF% (54.98%)

11th out of 12 in on ice shooting % (4.55%)

That's not a guy you take out of the lineup. He's playing significantly better than the counting stats would lead you to believe. Guys like Lindholm and Mangiapane on the other hand..

This is why advanced stats are mostly useless.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

Where was the risk in letting him play out the final year of his existing deal and seeing what you have? But no, Tre rolled out the welcome wagon and now we’re suffering forever and he somehow parlayed over a decade of these kind of mistakes into the premier GM job in the league.

The risk? Obviously, he has a good season, but since he's already at UFA he tests the market and you get nothing for him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GFG#1

So based on your reasoning, when Rooney comes back the Flames should start him as a first line center as this will make him a better player? He will get more ice time, and then they can throw him on PP1 so that he can be more successful.

Ice time needs to be EARNED. Huberdeau has no longer earned top line minutes, or Power play time. I get it he is here to stay, but at over 100+ games the issue is between his ears. He has 0 points in December.

At this point he needs to be treated like the player he is playing like, and honestly that is a 4th line player or a press box player. it is tough to even consider him a 4th line player the way he is playing. I am sure a few bounces would help his confidence a mile, but it's not like he hasn't had chances. He completely missed a wide-Open net a few games ago and not just barely.

I think he would have a better opportunity of gaining confidence playing less minutes and taking small wins shift by shift. Focus on little things, breaking up plays. not getting hemmed in the zone. Not turning over the puck on the wall. Don't force a pass that isn't there. Make the smart play. Get consistent at doing those things earn more ice time because you are playing better. Maybe then he will start getting some breaks maybe a puck goes off his ass and in the net. Start with small things then work your way up.

The Flames wouldn't hesitate throwing a kid in the press box, they would say things like it's a good opportunity to watch the game from above where it slows things down. No reason that this doesn't apply to a veteran as well.

Sure it's probably another hit to his confidence, but let's be real, how much lower can his confidence actually get. It is too a point that it is kinda like the weather -40 is stupid cold, but not really much different then -45.

Once he takes that hit, there is no where else to go but up.

If Rooney was a former 114 point guy, hell, yes, I try to play him out of a funk, even a 2 year one.

And there's plenty of reason veterans are not sent to the press box like rookies. And most most people talking about Huberdeau and the press box aren't saying he should go for a game. They are asking for him to go there for a while.

[Jaydee]

####ing send him to the press box already. This is embarrassing. Joke of an organization

[Spurs]

At some point, like maybe 10+ games, I think you have to say that if you are putting up great underlying (or whatever you want to call them) stats but no counting stats, that you have to change something up because as much as some people might want to minimize counting stats vs fancy stats it is those counting stats that matter at the end of the day.

It seems to me that the sample size is large enough that it can't just be bad luck while playing great for Hubredeau.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

You are just making up arguments. No one has said this.

Don’t the facts speak for themselves? The team signed the player to this massive deal without seeing him lace up the skates once, and he had a full year remaining on his contract. There was no need to do so. Signing an 8 year deal as opposed to 7 makes sense with a guy in his mid 20’s, but at 30, how does that make sense? There was little risk in waiting things out.

I know that hindsight is 20/20, and it’s a massive gamble that sadly has become a disaster, but I keep coming back to why was that deal signed…to make him feel welcome here. That’s it. That’s what I mean be making him feel special.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

They rush to sign huge contracts well before they have to, and in cases like this, it just wasn’t warranted. Where was the risk in letting him play out the final year of his existing deal and seeing what you have?

I think many have correctly pointed out, there was a fear we’d repeat Gaudreau. He’d have a great season, decide he wouldn’t resign mid season, and then walk into free agency at season’s end and we’d lose him for nothing.

I’d like to see the team treat him like the one company treated George Costanza when he tricked them into his employment. Move his stall down to the basement, make him crawl through the vents just to access it, basically try to make him so miserable he wants to quit even showing up and breaches his contract.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Kidder

I think many have correctly pointed out, there was a fear we’d repeat Gaudreau. He’d have a great season, decide he wouldn’t resign mid season, and then walk into free agency at season’s end and we’d lose him for nothing.

I’d like to see the team treat him like the one company treated George Costanza when he tricked them into his employment. Move his stall down to the basement, make him crawl through the vents just to access it, basically try to make him so miserable he wants to quit even showing up and breaches his contract.

In real life George could have sued for constructive dismissal and won, and likely got punitive damages.

Calgary would look like an absolute joke doing this.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

Don’t the facts speak for themselves? The team signed the player to this massive deal without seeing him lace up the skates once, and he had a full year remaining on his contract. There was no need to do so. Signing an 8 year deal as opposed to 7 makes sense with a guy in his mid 20’s, but at 30, how does that make sense? There was little risk in waiting things out.

I know that hindsight is 20/20, and it’s a massive gamble that sadly has become a disaster, but I keep coming back to why was that deal signed…to make him feel welcome here. That’s it. That’s what I mean be making him feel special.

I guess you are saying that every UFA signing is a massive gamble.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I guess you are saying that every UFA signing is a massive gamble.

Fair point….time for me to put the phone down and take a breath. It’s just so frustrating to watch someone get paid this much and just not perform. If I was this bad at my job, I’d quit in shame. But, that’s not the mentality of a pro athlete. It’s always someone else’s fault.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

Don’t the facts speak for themselves? The team signed the player to this massive deal without seeing him lace up the skates once, and he had a full year remaining on his contract. There was no need to do so. Signing an 8 year deal as opposed to 7 makes sense with a guy in his mid 20’s, but at 30, how does that make sense? There was little risk in waiting things out.

I know that hindsight is 20/20, and it’s a massive gamble that sadly has become a disaster, but I keep coming back to why was that deal signed…to make him feel welcome here. That’s it. That’s what I mean be making him feel special.

There would have been a risk to him leaving but then you assess the situation and trade him at the deadline if you wanted to recoup something. at 115 points, there was 0 chance he was going to get a better deal the next year. the Flames got scared and made a horrible decision.