What to do with Huberdeau?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by klikitiklik

Great win last night against Vegas.


Watching Huber'doh handle the puck is so frustrating. I'm not sure if the NHL keeps track of how many times one player turns over the puck but Every play dies on his stick.

He is just awful.

The team wins not because of him, but in spite of him. We have many who defend him for his effort but at what point do you take him out of the line up?


Send him down. Bench him. Who cares? Just get him away from the positive thing we have going. His body language is so negative and he seems completely emotionally checked out.

He barely participates in the celebration after a win.

Watching him on the bench hunched over and hiding his face is so unprofessional in my opinion.

I would not complain if the Flames sent him down to the Wranglers so he can once again have an appreciation of what it takes to make it to the show.


I've tried so hard to like this guy, but his play and body language lacks likeableness. Soft as butter. How is he on the first line?

Sorry Rant over. Again this is just my personal opinion on watching him "play". Many will not agree as he seems to be a great guy and advance stats may prove me wrong.

So much false stuff in this post.

[AFireInside]

This doesn't seem that complicated to me. Playing with Backlund and Coleman will be safe but he'll never be able to put up the points unless he has someone on his line that can finish, and our powerplay needs to be somewhat effective.

He didn't forget how to play, his linemates aren't the right mix. He makes multiple nice passes every game, which generally turn into nothing with this team, but people just want to focus on the giveaways.


I figured Yegor would work well with him this year, but there must have been something that was working with them, or they weren't given enough time.

[SuperMatt18]

I almost feel like Huberdeau-Zary-Pospisil with more sheltered minutes would probably actually be the most effective line for him.

Much like Kadri has I think Huberdeau would benefit from the energy of the young guys on his line. But they've worked so well with Kadri so far that you don't really want to mess that up.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

This doesn't seem that complicated to me. Playing with Backlund and Coleman will be safe but he'll never be able to put up the points unless he has someone on his line that can finish, and our powerplay needs to be somewhat effective.



He didn't forget how to play, his linemates aren't the right mix. He makes multiple nice passes every game, which generally turn into nothing with this team, but people just want to focus on the giveaways.

This.

WRT Backlund, he is, so far, the best centre he's hand on the team. Almost PPG last year and OK this year when they made the switch.

I'd like to see his ES PPG from his good years in Fla because I do think a huge part of the drop in production is powerplay points.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

This.

WRT Backlund, he is, so far, the best centre he's hand on the team. Almost PPG last year and OK this year when they made the switch.

I'd like to see his ES PPG from his good years in Fla because I do think a huge part of the drop in production is powerplay points.

Spoiler alert: his 5v5 production has also cratered since Florida.

Last 4 years in Flo, 5v5 p/60: 2.45, 2.53, 2.54, 2.97

Last year: 2.1

This year: 1.46

Not great

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

This.

WRT Backlund, he is, so far, the best centre he's hand on the team. Almost PPG last year and OK this year when they made the switch.

I'd like to see his ES PPG from his good years in Fla because I do think a huge part of the drop in production is powerplay points.

It's 5v5 too.

As a Flame he's averaged 1.96 points per 60 at 5v5, or 0.43 PPG at 5v5. On ice expected goals for is 2.84 xGF per 60 as a Flame, and his on ice shooting percentage is 8.4%. (2.73 GF/60 on 32.6 S/60)

In his last 3 seasons in Florida he averaged 2.7 points per 60 at 5v5 or 0.59 PPG. On ice expected goals for was 2.74 xGF per 60, and his on ice shooting percentage was 10.5% (3.72 GF/60 on 35.36 S/60).

But I think Bingo's point was that at 5v5 the actual underlying metrics in terms of shots, xGF, and chance creation isn't all that different at 5v5. What is very different is the rate of which those shots and chances are being finished.

Which I think is a bit of the story.

1) He's not creating as high of quality of chances as he did in Florida. I feel like even he would admit that, his passing just hasn't been as effective, and they've really struggled generating any rush chances especially.

2) When he does actually create those chances, they are not being converted most of the time.

So some blame on him, some of it on the overall construction of the roster, and I do think some of it has been that he's been cheating a lot less to create offense (which has led to fewer of those rush opportunities).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It's 5v5 too.

As a Flame he's averaged 1.96 points per 60 at 5v5, or 0.43 PPG at 5v5. On ice expected goals for is 2.84 xGF per 60 as a Flame, and his on ice shooting percentage is 8.4%. (2.73 GF/60 on 32.6 S/60)

In his last 3 seasons in Florida he averaged 2.7 points per 60 at 5v5 or 0.59 PPG. On ice expected goals for was 2.74 xGF per 60, and his on ice shooting percentage was 10.5% (3.72 GF/60 on 35.36 S/60).

But I think Bingo's point was that at 5v5 the actual underlying metrics in terms of shots, xGF, and chance creation isn't all that different at 5v5. What is very different is the rate of which those shots and chances are being finished.

Which I think is a bit of the story.

1) He's not creating as high of quality of chances as he did in Florida. I feel like even he would admit that, his passing just hasn't been as effective, and they've really struggled generating any rush chances especially.

2) When he does actually create those chances, they are not being converted most of the time.

So some blame on him, some of it on the overall construction of the roster, and I do think some of it has been that he's been cheating a lot less to create offense (which has led to fewer of those rush opportunities).

This all makes sense. Because most of the things he tries could easily work out well, with a bit of luck/more skill at the other end/more free flowing play.

I just mainly push back at the "black hole" notion. His line last night seemed fine to me. There were only 2 Flames goals after all. One was a broken play that ended up on Greer's stick and one was Weegar's rush. Huberdeau himself was OK in OT except a broken stick messed him up.

[Buff]

What a cluster$*#@ he has been going through since arriving in Calgary. I think this year he looks better and sadly needs time to work through whatever it is that is hampering his effectiveness. Unfortunately for him the world of pro sports is very much a "What have you done for me lately" environment and expectations align with how much you're getting paid. Pressure is on for Huberdeau to lead the team.

Perhaps this thread bump is due to lack of patience. Understandable. However I thought that Huberdeau has looked better the past few games. Last night's game against Vegas I felt like he was playing with more veteran poise.

Can you imaging what kind of run we could go on if the Flames keep up their recent play and Huberdeau finds his 115 point self again?

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Buff

What a cluster$*#@ he has been going through since arriving in Calgary. I think this year he looks better and sadly needs time to work through whatever it is that is hampering his effectiveness. Unfortunately for him the world of pro sports is very much a "What have you done for me lately" environment and expectations align with how much you're getting paid. Pressure is on for Huberdeau to lead the team.

Perhaps this thread bump is due to lack of patience. Understandable. However I thought that Huberdeau has looked better the past few games. Last night's game against Vegas I felt like he was playing with more veteran poise.

Can you imaging what kind of run we could go on if the Flames keep up their recent play and Huberdeau finds his 115 point self again?

Going to need to find him some linemates that can finish.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

Going to need to find him some linemates that can finish.

Exactly, Backlund and Coleman are 3rd liners. On a good year, they scored 20.

Huberdeau would be lucky to get 60 pts playing with them.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Exactly, Backlund and Coleman are 3rd liners. On a good year, they scored 20.

Huberdeau would be lucky to get 60 pts playing with them.

I dunno... he's played better with them then he has with anyone else so far. I wouldn't object to maybe acquiring Duclair (Past chemistry and he shouldn't cost much) to play with Him and Backs (Don't want to disrupt the other lines... just want more out of Huberdeau).

[stemit14]

Don’t really see the value in going after Duclair unless he can be acquired for very little. Even then, I think the obvious player to put with Huberdeau eventually is Coronato. Fast skater with a quick release who makes himself open in scoring areas. That seems like the natural fit for Huberdeau. It’s strange that Huska has not really given that combination any decent amount of time to form a pairing. Obviously Coronato is the minors right now but if the flames end up selling some pieces at the deadline, it would not surprise me to see him back with the big club for a decent amount of games this year.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I dunno... he's played better with them then he has with anyone else so far. I wouldn't object to maybe acquiring Duclair (Past chemistry and he shouldn't cost much) to play with Him and Backs (Don't want to disrupt the other lines... just want more out of Huberdeau).

That’s fine. That’s the best option for him right now


I am just saying dont expect 115 pts or whatever in that position . Expect 1/2

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I dunno... he's played better with them then he has with anyone else so far. I wouldn't object to maybe acquiring Duclair (Past chemistry and he shouldn't cost much) to play with Him and Backs (Don't want to disrupt the other lines... just want more out of Huberdeau).

I think any player will play well with those two. It's a very safe option, but there is a ceiling. Huberdeau with one of Backlund/Coleman, and an offensive shooter (which is why I thought Yegor would have worked) might work.


I think the point is we can't expect 100pts if we're putting him with Backlund and Coleman. Our powerplay being awful isn't Huberdeau's fault either.

[klikitiklik]

Originally Posted by Pekkerhead

CP really should close this thread. Enough already with the Huberdeau bashing. He and the whole team are actually playing really well this month. If he was making less money we’d just spend that money on signing the UFA’s this year. So let’s be grateful he’s making so much.

So we shouldn't have a discussion about the $10.5 million dollar pylon currently in the lineup simply because the Flames have had some success of late?


Do you want them to sign everyone to max term as well because of this win streak?


This is the kind of thinking that always ends up with us at 15th place.



By all means please close this thread if it is wrong to discuss number 10's play or lack there of at this very positive time.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by klikitiklik

So we shouldn't have a discussion about the $10.5 million dollar pylon currently in the lineup simply because the Flames have had some success of late?


Do you want them to sign everyone to max term as well because of this win streak?


This is the kind of thinking that always ends up with us at 15th place.



By all means please close this thread if it is wrong to discuss number 10's play or lack there of at this very positive time.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by klikitiklik

So we shouldn't have a discussion about the $10.5 million dollar pylon currently in the lineup simply because the Flames have had some success of late?

Do you want them to sign everyone to max term as well because of this win streak?

This is the kind of thinking that always ends up with us at 15th place.

By all means please close this thread if it is wrong to discuss number 10's play or lack there of at this very positive time.

I mean what’s your fix? Hope he waives his NMC to sit in the AHL? Get zero value or chance at fixing the issue by scratching him every game? The Flames are married to that contract and have to try every thing they can do to get him going. Their best bet to get out of it is for him to have a Karlsson like season and have a GM bite

[monkeyman]

If they haven't already. If i'm Conroy or Huska, I'd be on the phone with Joel Quenneville, just to pick his brain on Huberdeau.

[Buff]

Have they asked Huberdeau to score more?

[Paulie Walnuts]

I am a big Huberdeau fan as well, but it would be a mistake to try to target player solely because they can play with Huberdeau. No guarantee it works.

I wouldn't be opposed to dumping contracts to get back players that could potentially get him going, but absolutely not for any picks, prospects or young roster players.

I would also caution looking primarily for someone who can play with Huberdeau when trading our UFA unless its like a Tanev going the other.

Transitioning to a younger, faster and more skilled team will probably be enough to get him going anyways.

Unless we are getting a Barkov back lets build organically.