What to do with Huberdeau?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Always Earned Never Given

Last game was a perfect example of Huberdeau's tenure with the Flames so far in puck luck.

Over 100 games of bad puck luck?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Every player is flawed. Including the guy who Huberdeau was intended to replace (Gaudreau).

They traded for him because Huberdeau + Weegar + 1st was by far the best deal available out of the three viable partners that Tkachuk’s list left them with.

They signed Huberdeau to replace Gaudreau - knowing he has big holes in his game - because they were desperate to change the narrative of the Flames as a franchise in crisis that no stars would play for. That sort of stuff matters to owners and management teams.

The trade was good. But if the Flames knew that Hubby had big holes in his game, they should have traded him instead of guaranteeing him $84MM .

[dustygoon]

I still think Huberdeau rights the ship and gets back to some semblance of a top line player. Maybe not this year. And not like the days in Florida, but a 70-80 point guy. You just don't forget how to play.

I also think we can't let Mangiapanne decay like this to get Huby going. Mang should go back with Backlund.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

The trade was good. But if the Flames knew that Hubby had big holes in his game, they should have traded him instead of guaranteeing him $84MM .

I think he was pretty equivalent to Gaudreau. A top line but flawed aging winger. Both contracts were going to age poorly but the curve was supposed to be first three years are good, next three okay, and then the last two what we are seeing now.

The curve was a step off a cliff.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

I don't know. At 10.5M, fans are expecting a player who can drive a line, a game-breaker, and a leader on the ice. Huberdeau can make 10.5 playing in a non-hockey market and be off the radar. In a Canadian market, you will get chewed up and spit out.

At 10.5M, fans should be expecting a minimum of a PPG player. The crazy part is Flames could remove him off the roster today and not miss a beat.

I don’t care what fans expect, it’s irrelevant. That’s just complaining, and complaining accomplishes nothing. The thread title is “What To Do With Huberdeau”. If the answer is “complain about him”, mission accomplished I guess.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

I still think Huberdeau rights the ship and gets back to some semblance of a top line player. Maybe not this year. And not like the days in Florida, but a 70-80 point guy. You just don't forget how to play.

I also think we can't let Mangiapanne decay like this to get Huby going. Mang should go back with Backlund.

Andrew might not think so, but technically he's received a line promotion. He's on the first line, even if it is not our current best line.

I think the Flames have been super accommodating in helping Huby get his game back, and to get value for the contract.

Somehow, Flames always seem to have one of the worst contracts in the league during the last 10 years or so, and Tre ensured that will continue for another 8 years.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Andrew might not think so, but technically he's received a line promotion. He's on the first line, even if it is not our current best line.

I think the Flames have been super accommodating in helping Huby get his game back, and to get value for the contract.

Somehow, Flames always seem to have one of the worst contracts in the league during the last 10 years or so, and Tre ensured that will continue for another 8 years.

How is the Backlund line the first line? If anything it’s a checking line.

[Always Earned Never Given]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Over 100 games of bad puck luck?

Yes as I've watched lots of games from Panthers when he was there and the opposite was happening. Everything seemed to go in. I guess last couple of years it is reverting back to the mean.

Also the only good thing about Sutter is I find Huberdeau is much more responsible defensively. First guy back, block shots, battles in the corners.

His minus 13 doesn't really tell the whole story

I understand the frustration of his contract but if he could get back to 80+ points next year, class act, team player (not like other guys up north) and help out the kids, then I can live with it.

[Ashasx]

nm

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I think he was pretty equivalent to Gaudreau. A top line but flawed aging winger. Both contracts were going to age poorly but the curve was supposed to be first three years are good, next three okay, and then the last two what we are seeing now.

The curve was a step off a cliff.

What was Johnny’s flaw? Being 160 lbs?

Seems like both Gaudreau and Huberdeau are suffering because they were already in their ideal situations with their homegrown franchises.

Gaudreau didn’t ‘want’ to go to Columbus, just like Huberdeau didn’t want to be traded here.

With any luck, Huberdeau can help us secure a top-3 pick the way Gaudreau did for Columbus. If we get our Adam Fantilli out of year one of this monstrosity of a deal, there’s a better chance years 2-8 are not such a nightmare.

It’d be tough to parachute Sid into this mess.

Huberdeau has had his confidence completely demolished, and his organization has yet to do anything to help him rebuild it.

Probably because they can’t - they have too much selling to do. They have to know internally, getting him a running mate isn’t the priority at this moment.

They have seven and a half more years to figure that part out, and I’m sure they will.

Oh, and somebody at Calgary Lamborghini, get this man an Urus already.

Maybe he’d play better if he wasn’t rolling up to the rink in a Sierra.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Always Earned Never Given

Yes as I've watched lots of games from Panthers when he was there and the opposite was happening. Everything seemed to go in. I guess last couple of years it is reverting back to the mean.

Also the only good thing about Sutter is I find Huberdeau is much more responsible defensively. First guy back, block shots, battles in the corners.

His minus 13 doesn't really tell the whole story

I understand the frustration of his contract but if he could get back to 80+ points next year, class act, team player (not like other guys up north) and help out the kids, then I can live with it.

80+ points is likely a pipe dream, especially after the UFA’s go. Since he can’t drive the offense, whom will he play with that will create that offense?

Plus/minus is a flawed stat anyway, especially on a poor team.

Hubby has been working hard, you can tell. Which makes it all the more frustrating.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

What was Johnny’s flaw? Being 160 lbs?

Not a guy that would get it done in the playoffs and get a team deep. Button hooks etc. Not committed to fitness.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I think he was pretty equivalent to Gaudreau. A top line but flawed aging winger. Both contracts were going to age poorly but the curve was supposed to be first three years are good, next three okay, and then the last two what we are seeing now.

The curve was a step off a cliff.

I don't really have anything to substantiate this with, but I don't think Gaudreau's recent performance is due to aging.

Smaller players without extensive injury histories often age rather well. Gaudreau was quite a bit more productive last year - not far below a point per game.

For this reason, he may be more likely to rebound than Huberdeau if other variables change. Again, this is just speculation.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I don't really have anything to substantiate this with, but I don't think Gaudreau's recent performance is due to aging.

Smaller players without extensive injury histories often age rather well. Gaudreau was quite a bit more productive last year - not far below a point per game.

For this reason, he may be more likely to rebound than Huberdeau if other variables change. Again, this is just speculation.

Yeah, but Huberdeau hasn't been injured severly and didn't really rely on speed or physicality to get points. Gaudreau looks checked out though lol

[Flamesfan05]

Send him home

Huberdeau to Florida for a 2024 5th and 2032 1st
Flames retain salary for this year only

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Send him home

Huberdeau to Florida for a 2024 5th and 2032 1st
Flames retain salary for this year only

Panthers say no

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Panthers say no

yeah no kidding, the panthers didn't want him in the first place.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Send him home

Huberdeau to Florida for a 2024 5th and 2032 1st
Flames retain salary for this year only

More than wishful thinking. I think the only way the Panthers take on this salary is the Flames retain at 50% and we get nothing back. That's how bad it is. We might even have to offer a 1st ala Monahan to Montreal to absorb the salary.

[Johnny Makarov]

I think a night in the press box would do wonders for him.
and his teammates. Doesn't matter how much money you make, when you play like kyit you sit.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

How is the Backlund line the first line? If anything it’s a checking line.

Isn't Mangiapane playing with Lindholm?