2024-25 Huberdeau - new and improved?

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I think to some extent the system has failed Huberdeau (and everyone else). Huska (I believe) is trying to give the flames the best chance to win every night, and that’s going to be by winning games 2-1 with strong goaltending.

With that said, even if the system was perfectly catered to Hubys play style he still wouldn’t crack a point per game. PPG is the absolute minimum threshold that should be met for a 10.5 mil per year cap hit.

No, you blame the system if he went from 115 pts to 80-70 pts

Dude is now a 30-40 pts scorer

[Jason14h]

JG and Lindholm both struggled away for MT after the trade / JG leaving for FA

MT excelled away from them

Maybe MT is just a really really good hockey player and elevated that line despite the system .

Maybe Huberdeau needs to play with MT

[MikePatton]

I think Royle9 is bang on. Didn't fit the system and struggled to adapt.

I remember there was a video dissecting his utility on the ice and how the system stifled his strengths, posted by an ex-scout I believe? Have any of those things highlighted therein changed or are they still the same?

I also remember watching him in prior seasons, thinking he is trying hard but inefficient. The inability to adapt is probably a combination of things, but I don't think it was effort. I imagine hockey hasn't been so fun for him, not for a long while now. Lack of effort this season is IMO a better sign of resignation.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

No, you blame the system if he went from 115 pts to 80-70 pts

Dude is now a 30-40 pts scorer

I don’t think Huberdeau would be a 115 point player under any system during his time here so far. I have no stats or anything to back it up, it’s just my belief. I think the trade upset him and soured his attitude. Couple that with the instant success the panthers had after he left and that would be enough to crater anyone’s GAF.

The system isn’t doing him any favours but this is a multi-pronged issue and it’s not going to get better

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Huberdeau is essentially a ~55 - 65 point player.


I think he is playing through an injury, so I will personally take a step back from being down on him for now. Don't misunderstand me - I do believe he has the league's worst contract and it isn't close - there isn't a player in the league I wouldn't trade him one-for-one for, and that includes Nurse who I really dislike.


However, he was hurt to start the year, he has looked worse this season than last, and he just missed another game too. Obviously he is playing through something, so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.


At any rate, I have been keeping more of an eye on him, and I do think he is giving an effort. As long as I see him giving an effort and being a good teammate (and leader on the team), then I will continue to differentiate between "Huberdeau the Player" and "Huberdeau the Contract". The contract is signed and there is no getting out of it (at least for the foreseeable future). I just want to at least see effort from him, and as long as I see it, then I won't hold it against him.


If someone gave me 10+ million to do anything, I would at the very least work hard at it, regardless of how incompetent I was. I may not be able to get the job done, but I would work hard to the best of my abilities. That's what I want to see from Huberdeau as a player. I wouldn't turn that contract down regardless of how incompetent I was. I can't hold him to a different standard.

If he starts to appear like he is mailing it in, or worse - seemingly having a bad attitude - then I would definitely hate him as a player too, and I would want to get rid of him so he doesn't rub off on the kids. At this point, I don't see that happening. I think it is more likely he is simply playing through an injury.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I don’t think Huberdeau would be a 115 point player under any system during his time here so far. I have no stats or anything to back it up, it’s just my belief. I think the trade upset him and soured his attitude. Couple that with the instant success the panthers had after he left and that would be enough to crater anyone’s GAF.

The system isn’t doing him any favours but this is a multi-pronged issue and it’s not going to get better

I agree. People talk like different systems make it a completely different game, but hockey is fairly simple and there is congruence of fundamentals between systems that is greater than the difference between systems. Point totals might go up or down somewhat between systems, but Huberdeau's drop was historic and record breaking as if he was the first player in NHL history to have to play under a different coach and system. It might count for a small or moderate decrease but not a 60 point decrease.