What to do with Huberdeau?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Neal wasn't the presidents trophy winners leading scorer by 30 points and coming off multiple PPG seasons

Comparing Neal to Huberdeau is ridiculous.

One guy was bounced around and left open in the expansion draft as well.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Comparing Neal to Huberdeau is ridiculous.

One guy was bounced around and left open in the expansion draft as well.

I'm not comparing the playing style of the players. What I'm comparing is the drop offs in production both had under new coaches while new members of the Flames after many consistent seasons production wise.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

I'm not comparing the playing style of the players. What I'm comparing is the drop offs in production both had under new coaches while new members of the Flames after many consist seasons production wise.

it's a concerning trend, let's hope just a fluke.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

I was thinking about this earlier, but it's interesting to me to compare James Neal to Huberdeau.

Both came in to much acclaim and had massive drop offs.

Both expected themselves to be playing in a certain spot (Neal with Gaudreau, Huberdeau with Lindholm)

Both had issues with the coach not playing them in their "deserved" spot.

Huberdeau used his agent to complain while Neal confronted Peters face to face.

Both had stretches where they looked uninterested.

It's interesting to me the leeway being given to Huberdeau while there was nothing but vitriol for Neal.

I'm really hoping Huberdeau bounces back but this parallel seems interesting to me. Hopefully Huberdeaus signing isn't as much of a dud of a Treliving signing as Neals was.

I don't remember it the same way with Neal, sure some were concerned but he had lots of supporters too, it wasn't until the second season that people started to see Neal just didn't have it anymore and that there were other issues.

I hope for the Flames sake that is not the issue with Huberdeau and you have to admit there were a lot more factors that played into his poor season. He is definitely a lot better player than Neal, so we should see some improvement. I was surprised to see all your parallels but I do think we've got a better player than that.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

I don't remember it the same way with Neal, sure some were concerned but he had lots of supporters too, it wasn't until the second season that people started to see Neal just didn't have it anymore and that there were other issues.

I hope for the Flames sake that is not the issue with Huberdeau and you have to admit there were a lot more factors that played into his poor season. He is definitely a lot better player than Neal, so we should see some improvement. I was surprised to see all your parallels but I do think we've got a better player than that.

I agree he is better and Dino is correct his defensive game is miles better than the "Real Deals" was which is good because when Neal wasn't scoring he was atrocious.

Anyway the parallels were just something I thought of while mowing the lawn and wanted to see what other posters thought. Didn't think it would be as controversial.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Neal played 1 season here not sure what you are talking about.

Regardless Neals character was an issue not just his on ice play. Comparing a star forward who was a PPG the last 5 years prior to Sutter to freaking Neal is embarrassing.

Huberdeau had a off year with a coach with a axe to grind on guys that he didn't like.

Just don't be here cheering for his rebound season and the teams next season.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Maurice wasn't exactly looking like a great hire until they went on this playoff run. A goaltender in god mode and some clutch playoff performances can hide a lot of warts. All it would have taken is one bounce in Game 5 OT against the Bruins and instead of lamenting what got away, fans are saying "I told you so" in regards to Tkachuk, Bennett, Maurice, etc. The margins between success and failure are so slim in the playoffs.

Yes, exactly.

Results-based analysis is so tidy and easy. It's also wrong.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Nah nobody is going to consider him as a star if he repeats his 50 point pace

Agreed. You said if he has a poor start. So let's say he only hits 5 points in his first 10 games but then rips it up the rest of the way he is no longer a star?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Yes, exactly.

Results-based analysis is so tidy and easy. It's also wrong.

Pens beat Jackets, Sens, or Hawks in their last few games and he is probably on the hot seat to be fired

oh hockey

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Just don't be here cheering for his rebound season and the teams next season.

Why?

[memphusk]

Every person here wants to see him rebound. Its just questionable if he will.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Come on now it's more than a little different... Huberdeau set the all time assists record last season for a LW and has been one of the leagues top scorers the past five years.

You don't have to go back 2 seasons to find a record that he broke. He broke one last season as well.

[dino7c]

I understand the fear of being a Flames fan but a lot of guys didn't look their best last season...its hard to even judge it

I mean the coach put him in the wrong position for 30 games and played him with Lucic

Its okay for a playmaker to have to play with a scorer...saying they make X amount so they should carry the team is kinda stupid IMO.

They make X amount so put them in a position for maximum success would be my approach.

If he can be PPG and maintain a good defensive game I would be good with everything...10.5M is not your grandaddy's 10.5M. top players would soon be in the 15-16 range.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Why?

This is the Calgary Flames not the Calgary Sutters.

Many people want to see him and the team succeed.

Not yay Sutter see they suck and so does Huberdeau.

Also most negative poster and start complaining as soon as any news comes out.

Are you eveb a flames fan.

[memphusk]

I just read the hockey writers trade proposals for Huberdeau. They mention Chicago could give them Tampas first for Huberdeau. If that was even close to real I would run with it.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by memphusk

I just read the hockey writers trade proposals for Huberdeau. They mention Chicago could give them Tampas first for Huberdeau. If that was even close to real I would run with it.

And you would be remembered as making one of the worst trades in Flames history.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

And you would be remembered as making one of the worst trades in Flames history.

Maybe if his salary stayed at 5.9 but sadly it jumps significantly.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Maybe if his salary stayed at 5.9 but sadly it jumps significantly.

He is still going to be a 80-100 point guy. You think a late 1st is fair value for that?

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He is still going to be a 80-100 point guy. You think a late 1st is fair value for that?

Absolutely I do for his age and salary.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Florida is paying a 2nd liner 9.5 100 point player to go to the finals.

It's just too bad you rather he go do it on Montreal instead.

What are you on about?

Tkachuk was 1st among forwards for even strength ice-time during the regular season.

During the playoffs, he has the most ice-time out of forwards per game and 2nd to Verhaege for even strength ice-time. Bennet, Tkachuk's center is 3rd.

Tkachuk's line is the 1st line in Florida. At the very least, you could say they have two 1st lines.

Compare that to Huberdeau in last year's playoffs who was 4th in even strength and 6th during the regular season. He would actually be 7th if you included Cole Schwindt, but he didn't play enough.