What to do with Huberdeau?

[soreshins]

Originally Posted by dino7c

If it were only that easy

I would even cross my fingers and say a little prayer. Has to count for something?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

I think it would do wonders for him. It's an issue I noticed even in his Florida games. I know there's a lot of talk of psychology and Huberdeau himself talking about a lack of confidence. But I don't think it's confidence, confidence is a byproduct of his output. Going through an 82 game season, all players go through ups and downs. But from what I have seen, regardless of whether he's in a "hot streak" or a "cold stretch," there isn't much difference in how he performs or how effective he is. It's even been reported that he saw a sports psychologist and I don't see any change or improvement in his game.

So to me, it's not mental, it's physical and his biggest issue right now is skating IMO. If he just spent a few weeks working on power skating and agility drills, I think every aspect of his game would improve. Speed and efficiency affords you more time and space in hockey and that's something Huberdeau badly needs. If he could just gain a little more separation speed and hold on to pucks just a little bit longer, then more lanes and more options would open up as opposed to right now where he's constantly rushed into mistakes and turnovers.

I mean, improving your skating is always a positive. But his skating is the same as it was before - the guy was getting around just fine in FLA.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Man, he is working.

It’s not working, but he is working hard.

That's the thing. With Kadri last year, he was the best player the first half of the year and then he just quit. Shame on him and people shamed him for a good reason. But with Huberdeau? He really seems like he is trying which is actually the scary part. I have no idea what is going on with him anymore other than rock bottom confidence.

[Locke]

Dont forget...these guys have to cross international borders all the time, a well placed and timely little baggie and all of a sudden Huberdeau's contract isnt our problem anymore...

I kid, I kid...

#theRichards

[VilleN]

I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but I watched Huberdeau’s highlights from his last year in FLA - the guy has so much skill, but what I noticed was he had a swagger about him that has been completely absent since he came here. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I think the problem is mental right now… watching the highlights I didn’t see anything drastically different about the style of play in Calgary that would explain why his skill has seemingly disappeared. Is he a guy that struggles to get comfortable with a new team, new system etc. ? And he’s feeling uncomfortable so that swagger in his game is gone? … He really is a likeable player, it would be great if he could find his game again. He sounded absolutely defeated today when speaking with reporters, almost looked on the verge of tears.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by soreshins

Huberdau (20% retained) + Tanev to Toronto

For

Nylander (signed) + Domi

*ducks*

What do you mean by ducks? That usually means you're saying something people won't like. In this case it's just something would never happen.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

The guy just needs to stfu and work.

No body language pouting, no garbage. Just stfu, and get to work. Work hard every shift. That simple.

This is incorrect, it doesn't describe what has gone wrong at all.

[GullFoss]

I honestly think the problem might be that Huby's game is substantially better suited for the roster construction and playing style of a typical eastern conference team.

It's often said, it's easier to fire the coach than the players. Likewise, it's easier to trade the franchise player than to trade all the other players on the roster.

[BoLevi]

Originally Posted by VilleN

I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but I watched Huberdeau’s highlights from his last year in FLA - the guy has so much skill, but what I noticed was he had a swagger about him that has been completely absent since he came here. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I think the problem is mental right now… watching the highlights I didn’t see anything drastically different about the style of play in Calgary that would explain why his skill has seemingly disappeared. Is he a guy that struggles to get comfortable with a new team, new system etc. ? And he’s feeling uncomfortable so that swagger in his game is gone? … He really is a likeable player, it would be great if he could find his game again. He sounded absolutely defeated today when speaking with reporters, almost looked on the verge of tears.

The problem is $80 million.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by soreshins

Huberdau (20% retained) + Tanev to Toronto

For

Nylander (signed) + Domi

*ducks*

Yes, Brad should take his stuff with him. I agree.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I believe the idea is - and this is a Sutterism - if you're on an odd man rush (let's use a 3 on 2 as the example), have the other skaters skate to the defenders to tie them up, leaving the puck carrier open for a clear shot.

It's a fine system, 20 years ago, but you aren't beating today's goalies that way

Hockey 101 on a 3 on 2 is first forward drives the far post, 2nd forward without the puck makes himself available to the puck carrier. Puck carrier passes to forward 2 or takes the shot.

In many of those videos it seems like both guys without the puck are fighting to be the guy that drives to the post.

It makes little sense.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Hockey 101 on a 3 on 2 is first forward drives the far post, 2nd forward without the puck makes himself available to the puck carrier. Puck carrier passes to forward 2 or takes the shot.

In many of those videos it seems like both guys without the puck are fighting to be the guy that drives to the post.

It makes little sense.

Exactly, and yes it makes little sense, which is why I came to the conclusion I did - the only way it makes sense is if the goal is to tie up the defensemen, to leave the shooter free. And based on the Flames' desire to shoot vs pass at almost all times, that fits.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Exactly, and yes it makes little sense, which is why I came to the conclusion I did - the only way it makes sense is if the goal is to tie up the defensemen, to leave the shooter free. And based on the Flames' desire to shoot vs pass at almost all times, that fits.

Agreed.

Even as a shake up play ... maybe 5% of the time you send both forwards without a puck as a disruption move.

But if it's every time it's pretty obvious to defend.

[gvitaly]

I think a lot of the improvement should come from Huberdeau himself. I hope he is a proud enough individual to work his ass off every single day from now on. I expect him to stay after practice to work on his skills. I want him to be the first player on the ice and the last to leave.

I also think that the players should get together after practice and work on things like the PP. The amount of time for team practices is regulated, so the players can skate/practice without the coaches.

I also want Huberdeau to invest more of that $10.5M into his hockey career like McKinnon does. Get a new/additional personal skills coach that helps you through the season. Make sure you take care of yourself after practice with a nutritionist/chef/best equipment for recovery.

Essentially, I want to see the compete and pride from Huberdeau. If he puts in the work, the results will come. He didn't change anything in his off season training, maybe it's time for him to make some changes.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I think a lot of the improvement should come from Huberdeau himself. I hope he is a proud enough individual to work his ass off every single day from now on. I expect him to stay after practice to work on his skills. I want him to be the first player on the ice and the last to leave.

I also think that the players should get together after practice and work on things like the PP. The amount of time for team practices is regulated, so the players can skate/practice without the coaches.

I also want Huberdeau to invest more of that $10.5M into his hockey career like McKinnon does. Get a new/additional personal skills coach that helps you through the season. Make sure you take care of yourself after practice with a nutritionist/chef/best equipment for recovery.

Essentially, I want to see the compete and pride from Huberdeau. If he puts in the work, the results will come. He didn't change anything in his off season training, maybe it's time for him to make some changes.

Well he's clearly fit ... we've all seen the videos.
He brought in a psychologist in the off season so he's taking the mental side seriously.

His teammates are lining up to talk about how dedicated he is, and how hard he works.

So I don't think it's as simple as just digging deep.

He has a mental block, he has chemistry issues, or he's lost it.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Well he's clearly fit ... we've all seen the videos.
He brought in a psychologist in the off season so he's taking the mental side seriously.

His teammates are lining up to talk about how dedicated he is, and how hard he works.

So I don't think it's as simple as just digging deep.

He has a mental block, he has chemistry issues, or he's lost it.

Who on the Flames can really take advantage of his passes. Lindholm is the only one and he needs 2 superstars on his line, not just 1. That’s the only time he was really successful.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Well he's clearly fit ... we've all seen the videos.
He brought in a psychologist in the off season so he's taking the mental side seriously.

His teammates are lining up to talk about how dedicated he is, and how hard he works.

So I don't think it's as simple as just digging deep.

He has a mental block, he has chemistry issues, or he's lost it.

I'm not questioning his fitness, or his dedication to his craft. In order to get 115P you need to put in the work. I just don't see that killer resolve from him, like you see in champions like Crosby, McKinnon, MJ, and Kobe.

I can't explain it. It's a drive to win. Every single person loves winning, but only a few dedicate their entire life to it, and really hate losing.

I don't see the same compete/dedication from Huberdeau like I saw from Iginla. I'm sure he's still competing and he's still dedicated, but he doesn't look like he wants/tries to win to the same degree.

I don't want Huberdeau sad after being benched, nor do I want to see him smiling the next day. I want him angry, and motivated to take over the next game.

[GioforPM]

No, Huberdeau is not comparable to the very best players in the game. As far as "killer resolve", all of those players have had their down times, except maybe Crosby.

I just don't think his best game is as visible as some other players. He's more of a chess player, and right now he's forcing moves. I suspect he's always forced moves but in the past they'd succeed more often, enough so thrown away or flubbed passes were not remembered. Gretzky missed a lot of passing connections - the majority of them were missed, deflected or flubbed by the recipient. But a whole lot weren't.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I mean, improving your skating is always a positive. But his skating is the same as it was before - the guy was getting around just fine in FLA.

Right, when he was playing river hockey in Florida. Easy to skate in that system when there was continuous flow and frequent end to end rushes on a regular basis. That's not the case anymore with how tight teams check the Flames and how quickly they converge on Huberdeau.

[Bill Bumface]

We all still remember the year where Gaudreau absolutely lost it and was out of ideas besides gain the zone, button hook and lose it, right?

I think there wasn't a big difference besides line mates and confidence. When these guys are feeling it, they don't think, it just happens. As soon as they start thinking, everything is half a second too late and indecisive.

He needs some things to go well, and what would really have helped his confidence is on the plays where he did show his past form if people actually would put the puck in the net.