What to do with Huberdeau?

[Flamescuprun2018]

I suggest we rename this thread. Huby the Tank Commander and we would not be so bothered by his endless giveways this season!

He is singlehandedly insuring we don't end up with the usual 10-15th pick this season!

It is laughable at this point.

Won't be a bit surprised that 2 years from now when we have assembled some higher skill for C and RW on his line that suddenly the elite passer is back.

[Ferarri]

Other posters have touched on these points, but these are the options I see available - and to be honest they aren’t great which is to be expected given his play.

1. Status Quo – Basically continuing utilizing him in the same way you are now with the exception of changing linemates when things get stale or you want a spark. You accept the player for what he is, which isn’t very good, and you come to the conclusion that this is a terrible contract that hinders the organization. Maybe he offers some leadership to the kids but he is ultimately nothing more than what we’ve seen.

2. Coaching System – If you really want one last attempt to salvage this then utilize what the Panthers did with him and try to reignite his game. The potential downfall of this is this isn’t the Flames way of what the GM or coach has preached. They want to focus on defensive play first and playing responsibly without the puck. Also, are you willing to sacrifice the development of young guys by playing a system that moves away from this philosophy? How much are you willing to appease a player and salvage this contract is the main question.

3. Trade – Perhaps there’s a GM out there that is frustrated with their “star” player and thinks that a change of scenery is the answer. You could get someone to bite if they believe they can reform Huberdeau, however, his contract makes this scenario highly unlikely. Not only that, what would the cost be considering this has been labelled one of if not the worst contracts in the league.

4. Buyout – Maybe you get lucky and at some point there is a compliance buyout (let’s be serious, the Flames never get any sort of luck) but nonetheless it could be an option. Other than that, the likelihood of buying him out now just isn’t realistic given the penalty. Moving forward you continue to pay and play him until the contract winds down into its latter years

5. Retirement – This of course is the dream scenario but also highly unrealistic given the money on the table. Maybe at some point Huberdeau starts to feel the way Lucic did and realizes hockey just isn’t fun anymore. We don’t know what’s going on in his head and potentially the pressure of the contract gets to him along with negative media/fan support and he choses to step away.

Not many great options available but something to think about even if it makes your head hurt.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No, I asked you. This is the discussion that’s supposed to be happening in this thread. It’s not a whining session.

I bet to differ

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by memphusk

He plays with Coleman and Backlund because he's a liability. I actually feel bad for Coleman and Backlund.

He's not supposed be a defensive player. He's supposed to be playing with offensive players. Coleman is on track to have his best season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I bet to differ

Well, reality is reality I guess. Time to change the thread name.

[taxbuster]

Kyrou has trouble in St Loo...trade coming for Huberdoodoo?


(LOL - just watched the Kyrou post-OTT game comments and the fans are pretty hard on him b/c of non-production for his $8.5M.....reminded me of "someone").

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Ferarri

Other posters have touched on these points, but these are the options I see available - and to be honest they aren’t great which is to be expected given his play.

1. Status Quo – Basically continuing utilizing him in the same way you are now with the exception of changing linemates when things get stale or you want a spark. You accept the player for what he is, which isn’t very good, and you come to the conclusion that this is a terrible contract that hinders the organization. Maybe he offers some leadership to the kids but he is ultimately nothing more than what we’ve seen.

2. Coaching System – If you really want one last attempt to salvage this then utilize what the Panthers did with him and try to reignite his game. The potential downfall of this is this isn’t the Flames way of what the GM or coach has preached. They want to focus on defensive play first and playing responsibly without the puck. Also, are you willing to sacrifice the development of young guys by playing a system that moves away from this philosophy? How much are you willing to appease a player and salvage this contract is the main question.

3. Trade – Perhaps there’s a GM out there that is frustrated with their “star” player and thinks that a change of scenery is the answer. You could get someone to bite if they believe they can reform Huberdeau, however, his contract makes this scenario highly unlikely. Not only that, what would the cost be considering this has been labelled one of if not the worst contracts in the league.

4. Buyout – Maybe you get lucky and at some point there is a compliance buyout (let’s be serious, the Flames never get any sort of luck) but nonetheless it could be an option. Other than that, the likelihood of buying him out now just isn’t realistic given the penalty. Moving forward you continue to pay and play him until the contract winds down into its latter years

5. Retirement – This of course is the dream scenario but also highly unrealistic given the money on the table. Maybe at some point Huberdeau starts to feel the way Lucic did and realizes hockey just isn’t fun anymore. We don’t know what’s going on in his head and potentially the pressure of the contract gets to him along with negative media/fan support and he choses to step away.

Not many great options available but something to think about even if it makes your head hurt.

I’d bet on number 5. Or at least he asks for a change of scenery.

[Sec214]

Boooooooooooooooo

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Based on what?

It was July - they were 3 weeks into an entire year in which to get him signed.

This is wild revisionist history.

No, it’s Panthers revisionist history.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Ferarri

Other posters have touched on these points, but these are the options I see available - and to be honest they aren’t great which is to be expected given his play.

1. Status Quo – Basically continuing utilizing him in the same way you are now with the exception of changing linemates when things get stale or you want a spark. You accept the player for what he is, which isn’t very good, and you come to the conclusion that this is a terrible contract that hinders the organization. Maybe he offers some leadership to the kids but he is ultimately nothing more than what we’ve seen.

2. Coaching System – If you really want one last attempt to salvage this then utilize what the Panthers did with him and try to reignite his game. The potential downfall of this is this isn’t the Flames way of what the GM or coach has preached. They want to focus on defensive play first and playing responsibly without the puck. Also, are you willing to sacrifice the development of young guys by playing a system that moves away from this philosophy? How much are you willing to appease a player and salvage this contract is the main question.

3. Trade – Perhaps there’s a GM out there that is frustrated with their “star” player and thinks that a change of scenery is the answer. You could get someone to bite if they believe they can reform Huberdeau, however, his contract makes this scenario highly unlikely. Not only that, what would the cost be considering this has been labelled one of if not the worst contracts in the league.

4. Buyout – Maybe you get lucky and at some point there is a compliance buyout (let’s be serious, the Flames never get any sort of luck) but nonetheless it could be an option. Other than that, the likelihood of buying him out now just isn’t realistic given the penalty. Moving forward you continue to pay and play him until the contract winds down into its latter years

5. Retirement – This of course is the dream scenario but also highly unrealistic given the money on the table. Maybe at some point Huberdeau starts to feel the way Lucic did and realizes hockey just isn’t fun anymore. We don’t know what’s going on in his head and potentially the pressure of the contract gets to him along with negative media/fan support and he choses to step away.

Not many great options available but something to think about even if it makes your head hurt.

Lucic didn’t retire.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Kyrou has trouble in St Loo...trade coming for Huberdoodoo?


(LOL - just watched the Kyrou post-OTT game comments and the fans are pretty hard on him b/c of non-production for his $8.5M.....reminded me of "someone").

Kyrou was in tears during the post-game media scrum after being booed by the fans in St. louis. Imagine what they would do to Huberdeau....

[N-E-B]

I’m genuinely worried for the future of this franchise. This contract is a complete and total boat anchor. We are absolutely screwed for the next 7 years. Even if we tank and get some high end talent this contract could prevent us from putting together a solid supporting cast for those future prospects.

Treliving completely screwed this franchise. This will be his legacy.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I’m genuinely worried for the future of this franchise. This contract is a complete and total boat anchor. We are absolutely screwed for the next 7 years. Even if we tank and get some high end talent this contract could prevent us from putting together a solid supporting cast for those future prospects

Treliving completely screwed this franchise. This will be his legacy.

I watched the Panthers a lot

Maybe Quenneville was a better coach than Huska is

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

I don't see anyone being an apologist. Fans are being unreasonable. He made Bennett, Duclair etc all better players. Those players also fit well with him for whatever reason, and the system that team played worked better. I think every single person in this thread has said repeatedly that he needs to be better.

There were examples of Mackinnon, Pastrnak, McDavid, and Barkov. In all those cases their linemates are FAR better offensively than Huberdeaus linemates. All those linemates are being elevated a bit, but they are also better players.

I think you can expect an improvement in the linemates, but playing Huberdeau with two 15 - 20 goal guys isn't going to add up to 80-90 pts with the worst pp in the league on top of it.

Coleman and Backlund are both outscoring him, how much of the problem can they be if they are able to out produce him?

Gaudreau last season put up 76 points with a much worse team and worse linemates.

It isn't like he is still producing at a 80 point level and people are pissed it isn't 115, he isn't close to a reasonable output, he isn't putting up points when others on the team are and he definitely isn't coming close to making anyone better.

Blaming his linemates/teammates when a lot of other players are producing more than he is seems pretty weak for a guy making 10.5m.

[flames_fan_down_under]

The “Huberdeau needs better line mates” argument has real “it’s Murray Edward’s fault that Treliving was a bad GM” energy

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

The “Huberdeau needs better line mates” argument has real “it’s Murray Edward’s fault that Treliving was a bad GM” energy

I'm sure there are some good players that Huberdeau can play with on the Wranglers

[GioforPM]

It’s not a matter of “better” linemates, though, offensively, Gaudreau had Laine most of last year and Laine scored 22 goals (and when not Laine it was Marchenko).

It’s a matter of linemates who get eachother. For some reason Huberdeau-Bennett-Duclair worked. To a lesser, but still good, degree, Barkov and Huberdeau worked.

This isn’t apologist. It’s trying to figure out a way forward that works better. So far Huberdeau with Backlund and Coleman has been better than with Kadri or Lindholm, for whatever reason. The production’s way off, but he looks much better and more confortable on that line. It’s funny because Backlund and Bennett are nothing alike. I suppose Coleman is more like Bennett, though - a net crasher and disturber. I wonder how Pospisil would do with Huberdeau.

[Moneyhands23]

At this point it doesn't matter. No way to trade him.

Gotta just hope the re-tool goes well and the new coach that is hired to run the team in 3 years can get him going.

[calumniate]

Nurse for Huberdeau.. thanks Brad

[MrMike]

If I was the Flames, I'd have a private investigator 24/7 watching Huberdeau....

Did he ever play rap music in a locker room ten years ago?

Maybe have him be the personal ambassador for the Moms Trip?

Sign Corey Perry and they become best friends?