Huberdeau motivated to be better ... but he hasn't been that bad

[Huntingwhale]

I really really really miss Gaudreau's play driving. But I'm also really excited for when Huberdeau starts clicking and puts points up. I never really watched him in FLA so I can't comment on any of his "magic". But once he figures it out, he'll be a treat to watch. Heard someone say the other day they were worried he'd turn out to another Jokinen v.1 but I find that hard to believe. New linemates, new coach, new system, new city, etc. The list goes on. He'll get there.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I really really really miss Gaudreau's play driving. But I'm also really excited for when Huberdeau starts clicking and puts points up. I never really watched him in FLA so I can't comment on any of his "magic". But once he figures it out, he'll be a treat to watch. Heard someone say the other day they were worried he'd turn out to another Jokinen v.1 but I find that hard to believe. New linemates, new coach, new system, new city, etc. The list goes on. He'll get there.

Every UFA or traded player goes through the same thing.

Tkachuk having no problem adapting. Most star players have little trouble.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Every UFA or traded player goes through the same thing.

Tkachuk having no problem adapting. Most star players have little trouble.

IIRC Sutter said that Florida was changing this season to a system more similar to the Flames (man vs zone). If that's the case, wouldn't Tkachuk have an easier time adjusting?

And, not to make excuses, but Tkachuk is just one new guy on a line. All 3 of Huberdeau's linemates need to learn each other's offensive tendencies.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Every UFA or traded player goes through the same thing.

Tkachuk having no problem adapting. Most star players have little trouble.

Dougie Hamilton flat out stunk here his first 20 games

[BrennyBaller]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Dougie Hamilton flat out stunk here his first 20 games

True, I forgot about this!

[flambers]

Personally I thought during preseason, Flames really need another top 6 right winger... this should have been addressed.

New lines combo are just not working

Huberdeau, does not seem to have chemistry with any of his lines as of yet.

For what ever reason, this might take awhile

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by flambers

Personally I thought during preseason, Flames really need another top 6 right winger... this should have been addressed.

New lines combo are just not working

Huberdeau, does not seem to have chemistry with any of his lines as of yet.

For what ever reason, this might take awhile

I think the team probably agrees they need a top 6 RWer
But getting one is a different story.
Made more difficult by Kylington not being available as it takes away the position of strength they could deal from.
Otherwise you are probably looking at teams as for Coronato in any deal for a quality winger. Or the 2023 1st.

The market probably opens up as you move further into the season, but right now, and in the pre-season there wasn't much available. Milano was an attempt to address the situation in a no cost way.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

are bennett or duclair available?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Johnny was 21 years old and a rookie.

Not comparable at all.

I'm not saying the situations are comparable . I'm saying I hope history repeats itself

[CroCop]

Not going to sugar coat it…He’s been awful. There’s no excuses, a player of his caliber and the way he’s paid needs to get out there and make it happen. I don’t care what system your playing/learning it’s still hockey ffs. He’s not the only disappointment early this season but so far he’s the most notable.

[traptor]

Since we're paying him 10.5 next year we need him to be a game breaker. Especially since we already had a deficit of high end talent and that's only gotten worse.

He has looked far from that game breaker we need him to be. He doesn't really look likes he's worth more then his current contract at the moment.

He's never been known for his defensive metrics so he needs to be producing to provide his value.

I'm willing to give him half the year before I start to feel panick but I havnt seen much yet.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think the team probably agrees they need a top 6 RWer
But getting one is a different story.
Made more difficult by Kylington not being available as it takes away the position of strength they could deal from.
Otherwise you are probably looking at teams as for Coronato in any deal for a quality winger. Or the 2023 1st.

The market probably opens up as you move further into the season, but right now, and in the pre-season there wasn't much available. Milano was an attempt to address the situation in a no cost way.

I think Coronato is the RW the team needs. Patience.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I think Coronato is the RW the team needs. Patience.

Oh I agree, I wouldn't be making a move right now. I'd wait for the market up and try to see what comes available as teams fall out of the race.
But I also think at some point they need to try someone from the farm who has more natural skill. Guys like Lucic and Lewis bring effort but they kill the offensive potential of scoring lines.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by traptor

Since we're paying him 10.5 next year we need him to be a game breaker. Especially since we already had a deficit of high end talent and that's only gotten worse.

He has looked far from that game breaker we need him to be. He doesn't really look likes he's worth more then his current contract at the moment.

He's never been known for his defensive metrics so he needs to be producing to provide his value.

I'm willing to give him half the year before I start to feel panick but I havnt seen much yet.

That's my concern because even though het got 115 points last year to McDavid's 123, Huberdeau is looking like he is not a game breaker but rather a complimentary player and he needs line chemistry or special teams to do well.

Don't look now but McDavid is on pace for 179 points and both him and Draisatl can be that game breaking player on their lines. I'm not sure if Huberdeau can become that player for us.

[Bleeding Red]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

That's my concern because even though het got 115 points last year to McDavid's 123, Huberdeau is looking like he is not a game breaker but rather a complimentary player and he needs line chemistry or special teams to do well.

Don't look now but McDavid is on pace for 179 points and both him and Draisatl can be that game breaking player on their lines. I'm not sure if Huberdeau can become that player for us.

Let's be honest - the entire Oilers' system is based on "let McDavid do what he wants! we'll try to cover for the rest." He & Draisatl are averaging 22 min TOI (it's that extra 7 seconds that're the b*tch) - Huberdeau is at 16 min TOI.

All I am saying is - give the guy a chance.

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Red

Let's be honest - the entire Oilers' system is based on "let McDavid do what he wants! we'll try to cover for the rest." He & Draisatl are averaging 22 min TOI (it's that extra 7 seconds that're the b*tch) - Huberdeau is at 16 min TOI.

All I am saying is - give the guy a chance.

I don't really care how Edmonton does it, but they're winning games. They have 2 generational players, why wouldn't they want to exploit their talent and maximize their time on ice. Not even sure why we are talking about Edmonton...

As for our team, Huberdeau has looked awful and would not look any better if given an additional 6/7mins. Same with Lindholm.
Lets just hope they both pick it up sooner rather than later, the team needs our best players to be the best players.

[Flamesfan05]

Huberdeau looks no where close to a 10M player
Has shown no play driving skills . He needs teammates to cash in his passes and they are not. Half of his passes have also been terrible.

Yeah you can make all kind of excuses but a top 10 star which some people think he is, should not have this much trouble to adjust

[8sPOT]

It's early, I'll wait until the 20 game mark before creating any kind of judgement.

I didn't expect Tkachuk to have 3 times as many points though, at any point in the season. So while not at all a good start, still have over 70 games to play.

[Mathgod]

The thing about Huby is, he's an intelligent player who sees the game on a much more advanced level than most players, and relies on creativity to generate offense. If his linemates are not on the same page as him, the whole thing doesn't work. The only way this can get fixed is by him spending a lot of time with his linemates studying film and developing set plays where everyone always knows what to do ahead of time.

The one thing that worries me though is, does Huby's play style conflict with Sutter's system/philosophy?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I think Coronato is the RW the team needs. Patience.

Not sure, however the team will need a right winger way before this player is ready in my opinion