Huska's Zone Defensive Hockey System

[FlamesNightmare]

Someone here did mention it and I will have to agree, Ryan Huska is trying his best with what he's got. So I forgive him for whatever outcome happens at the end of the season.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I actually do like Huska (love is too strong). I think he has been a very good coach thus far.


Since we are putting people on the defensive with labels, how about someone from the "I hate Huska Crowd" explain the offensive system and how it is letting the team down? I have yet to see a well-articulated explanation of this. I am honestly really curious.

[MegaErtz]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Blowouts are even worse to watch than what it is right now. At least the forwards are learning some defense. The Flames still have a pretty good shot at the 1st overall

The forwards are learning to play defense so that we can what, trade them for draft picks once they've developed enough?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by FlamesNightmare

Maybe because we don't have the talent up-front to score enough goals.

Nope. Huberdeau had 4 years averaging 90 points in Florida in an east west game with the D frequently joining as F4, peaking at 115

They repurposed him in to a power forward playing dump and chase, perimeter play and crashing the net in a Sutter vein

It’s terrible to watch

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I actually do like Huska (love is too strong). I think he has been a very good coach thus far.


Since we are putting people on the defensive with labels, how about someone from the "I hate Huska Crowd" explain the offensive system and how it is letting the team down? I have yet to see a well-articulated explanation of this. I am honestly really curious.

There was a good video on YouTube years ago showing what worked for Huberdeau in Florida and why it isn’t working here

Nothing has changed

[KootenayFlamesFan]

He's said multiple times that he expects players to adhere to a defensive system but once they get in the offensive zone he wants their creativity to take over to create offense.

He is not telling players to get across the blueline and dump it in, or pass back to the point when you get in a prime scoring area. The players aren't making great offensive plays because there is little to no offensive talent up front, quite possibly the worst forward group in the NHL, bottom 3 for sure. When Blake Coleman is tied for the team lead in goals with 13 you know it's a bad, bad team. Amazing they're doing as well as they are.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

He's said multiple times that he expects players to adhere to a defensive system but once they get in the offensive zone he wants their creativity to take over to create offense.

He is not telling players to get across the blueline and dump it in, or pass back to the point when you get in a prime scoring area. The players aren't making great offensive plays but there is little to no offensive talent up front, quite possibly the worst forward group in the NHL, bottom 3 for sure. When Blake Coleman is tied for the team lead in goals with 13 you know it's a bad, bad team. Amazing they're doing as well as they are.

Nope

Kadri was on pace for 100 points in Colorado

Huberdeau had 115 in Florida

Letting players ‘be creative’ isn’t a strategy. A guy can have a great idea, but if the other 4 guys are not where they need to be, then all the imagination in the world can’t help

You can actually strategize and practice offense

[FlamesNightmare]

Yeah, our offensive talent (if any now) will only get worse I think now that we traded off Andersson.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Nope

Kadri was on pace for 100 points in Colorado

Huberdeau had 115 in Florida

Letting players ‘be creative’ isn’t a strategy. A guy can have a great idea, but if the other 4 guys are not where they need to be, then all the imagination in the world can’t help

You can actually strategize and practice offense

Was.
Had.
On different teams.

There are a lot of players around the league that had great years on other teams in different years. Not sure what that has to do with the Flames in 2026.

If you believe the Flames should be scoring a lot of goals, that's on you. It's a bad hockey team, you may want to lower your expectations....by a lot.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Was.
Had.
On different teams.

There are a lot of players around the league that had great years on other teams in different years. Not sure what that has to do with the Flames in 2026.

If you believe the Flames should be scoring a lot of goals, that's on you. It's a bad hockey team, you may want to lower your expectations....by a lot.

Systems matter

4 consistent years before and 4 consistent years after are meaningful sample sizes

It is pretty plain to see when you watch it imo

[Samonadreau]

Team has been selling pieces for 3 years now and we are surprised that we're not very good.

Also, lets rebuild properly, but lets also never not be good!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Nope

Kadri was on pace for 100 points in Colorado

Huberdeau had 115 in Florida

Letting players ‘be creative’ isn’t a strategy. A guy can have a great idea, but if the other 4 guys are not where they need to be, then all the imagination in the world can’t help

You can actually strategize and practice offense

You can make the argument for Huberdeau, but Kadri got similar points to now when in Toronto and had his big year with MacKinnon out - so playing with Rantanen and Makar a lot.

[Jason14h]

I think Huska does a very good job with what he has . That’s actually a problem for me !

A strong system and discipline positional play will get more wins for a bad team then other teams that give up towards the end of the year . He could coach us out of a top 5 pick unfortunently

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

A strong system and discipline positional play will get more wins for a bad team then other teams that give up towards the end of the year . He could coach us out of a top 5 pick unfortunently

I'd rather risk that than train the young players that it's OK to give up.

[Infinit47]

The issue isn't zone defense, it's how passive Huska has the team play without the puck. Zero puck pressure in the neutral zone or defensive zone.

Puck pressure isn't something you need elite skill for.

I don't think Huska designed this system based on a lack forward skill, If anything Huska's stupid "be creative" in the offensive zone would work better with a highly skilled forward team. This team needs help in the offensive zone, because what they do is just brutal to watch and probably terrible to play.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

It isn't happening. I hope Huska is still here when we get some good young offensive talent so I can see what new excuses the I love Huska crowd come up with when they still can't score. Reality is the Flames have enough offensive skill that they should be mid pack but when that is totally neutered by gaining the zine and then throwing everything back to the point for an unscreened long shot you are not scoring a lot. I'm sure if we get McKenna he is going to just love that strategy considering he is a high end playmaker like Huberdeau was before Ryan Huska sucked the life out of him.

Our team has no skill. Deal with it

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I think Huska does a very good job with what he has . That’s actually a problem for me !

A strong system and discipline positional play will get more wins for a bad team then other teams that give up towards the end of the year . He could coach us out of a top 5 pick unfortunently

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I'd rather risk that than train the young players that it's OK to give up.

100% on both counts.

[taxbuster]

Oh yay. Another thread for the complainers. I’ll stay here just to complain about the complaining…? Nah. Kidding.

Huska’s D is fine, works hard. Brz and Kuz getting lotsa reps and being somewhat sheltered by their respective partners. When they’re “on” they push the puck out well. No huge complaints. We lack O talent.

[Kipper_3434]

I think huska is going to have a very long career as a defensive associate coach. The team does lack offensive skill and creativity, but he has never been a guy to coach o-zone dominance. If he starts to strategize around Parekh and hopefully McKenna, Gridin, Coronato, and others I may change my opinion.

[Roko]

The McKenna dream is dead. This team won’t pick top 3. 5th here we come.