Huberdeau without a doubt for me. Was hoping the contract talks would come later in the season after he and the team had a bit of seasoning to see how things unfolded before the Flames made such a big commitment to him at $84M. That kind of contract creates BIG expectations and I'm not even sure his game is tailor made for Sutter's checking system.
Based on some of the games I saw with him in Florida, his game is nothing like Johnny Gaudreau's. He doesn't appear to have the same quickness to close distance quickly and check as effectively. I'm also not sure throwing him out there with Lindholm and Toffoli is the answer. I don't think either 3 excel at taking the puck from point A to point B like a Gaudreau or a Tkachuk. If I was to make a football comparison, Huberdeau reminds me more of a pocket QB, he's got great vision, pinpoint accuracy and slick moves, but he's probably better off in the "pocket" than "scrambling" like Gaudreau if that makes sense.
So seems to me that Huberdeau would have more success with a guy like Backlund who can do the heavy lifting with the puck carrying duties and then distribute it to Huberdeau who can then make the optimal play from there. Also, the guy killed it with Anthony Duclair last season, so why not throw a dynamic skater on his line and see if things click in similar fashion. Maybe someone that plays with a ton of pace will open things up for Huberdeau who can make the perfect pass to a guy in stride.
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