2024-25 Huberdeau - new and improved?

[Locke]

He knows how to pass pucks into feet, not take pucks into feet. Very different skill-set.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If you say so. Ignore everyone else missing shots and throwing pucks away. It's all on one guy on one line, who's had a revolving door at centre ice, mainly with guys who never played that position in the NHL.

Point is - it's a team game. Hubderdeau could be playing lights out and he still needs guys he passes to to score or guys who are passing the puck to get it to him if he's open. Does he blow plays? Sure, as they all do, but IMO he has far more plays blown by guys just not converting or getting open. Like I said, Zary has a high IQ so maybe that changes.

It’s been 3 years and we haven’t seen one elite stretch

So yeah , he is a problem. He has not been the superstar he is supposed to be

And it’s obvious he will never be again

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

They were using him there at the beginning of the year. I don’t know why or when they went away from it - probably during their mini slump.

Huska should go back to it regularly, don't guarantee him such high power play minutes either. I'm a big fan of using star players on the PK. The Sedins had their best years after being regular penalty killers. Darryl Sutter used Iginla on the PK during the playoffs in 04 too.

Not suggesting it would turn Huderdeau back into a star but it would engage him in the game more and perhaps have some positive benefits.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Locke

He knows how to pass pucks into feet, not take pucks into feet. Very different skill-set.

Hilarious. Of course, he leads the forwards in blocks IIRC. So there’s that.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Hilarious. Of course, he leads the forwards in blocks IIRC. So there’s that.

He's blocked 20 shots this year, about 1 per game.

And blocked shots is often a function of his line getting caved in, especially since he generally starts in the offensive zone.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

He's blocked 20 shots this year, about 1 per game.

And blocked shots is often a function of his line getting caved in, especially since he generally starts in the offensive zone.

Starting in the offensive zone is all well and good, if you have a centre that can win a faceoff. If not it just means you have to skate a bunch before you defend.

Huberdeau can’t win with some of you. “He can’t play on the PK because he passes into skates, as opposed to using his skates to stop pucks”. “But he leads forwards in blocks”. “Oh well that’s because he gets caved in more than others” (that’s not actually the case if I read the game reports right).

Huberdeau is not producing enough. That’s on him, his linemates and the way the team plays. But let’s stick to facts about his stats as well.

[FlamesAddiction]

I don’t think we’ll ever see production from Huberdeau that justifies his contract and I agree with others that his no-look passes to nowhere or into the feet of opposing players is frustrating. But I will also say that he looks a lot more engaged and in the fight than past seasons. As long as he is working hard and moving, it at least sets a good example.

[The Cobra]

He has 20 blocks and you to make it sound like he’s some sort of shot blocking machine.

He’s playing terrible hockey, he’s the player that should be leading the flames offense, so, yes, he needs to take some responsibility when the offence has failed all season.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

He has 20 blocks and you to make it sound like he’s some sort of shot blocking machine.

He’s playing terrible hockey, he’s the player that should be leading the flames offense, so, yes, he needs to take some responsibility when the offence has failed all season.

He's a playmaker. He makes multiple great passes most games. If his teammates can't finish he's not going to provide much.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

He has 20 blocks and you to make it sound like he’s some sort of shot blocking machine.

He’s playing terrible hockey, he’s the player that should be leading the flames offense, so, yes, he needs to take some responsibility when the offence has failed all season.

No, I'm saying he's leading the forwards in blocks, which was the subject of Locke's hilarious joke. Take a break, dude, you are too worked up.

[The Yen Man]

I don't even know what ragging on the guy will accomplish at this point. I don't think anyone's under any impression he'll ever get 100pts again. Is he overpaid for what he brings? Absolutely. Thankfully, Flames don't need the cap space for the next few years.

We're stuck with him throughout his contract, and that's not going to change. He's still an NHL player. Honestly, I'd consider it a huge win if he can get 60 points. He does look a lot more engaged and willing to work on his game, and he does seem like a good locker room guy. At least he's not sulking about his point production or not getting enough ice time.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Starting in the offensive zone is all well and good, if you have a centre that can win a faceoff. If not it just means you have to skate a bunch before you defend.

Huberdeau can’t win with some of you. “He can’t play on the PK because he passes into skates, as opposed to using his skates to stop pucks”. “But he leads forwards in blocks”. “Oh well that’s because he gets caved in more than others” (that’s not actually the case if I read the game reports right).

Huberdeau is not producing enough. That’s on him, his linemates and the way the team plays. But let’s stick to facts about his stats as well.

I'm not sure the advanced stats paint the picture of Huberdeau that you would like them to.

You're saying his offensive zone starts don't count because his centre can't win a faceoff? That doesn't explain his performance relative to the rest of the team

x goals for: 7th among forwards
x goals against:10th among forwards
x goals differential: 9th among forwards

The only thing saving him is a career best shooting percentage, way above the normal for him. My eye yest doesn't tell he is sniping better, it seems like luck. And he's not shooting much at all anymore. That is confirmed by the stats and the eye test, barely above one shot per game.

This is not linemates and system.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I'm not sure the advanced stats paint the picture of Huberdeau that you would like them to.

You're saying his offensive zone starts don't count because his centre can't win a faceoff? That doesn't explain his performance relative to the rest of the team

x goals for: 7th among forwards
x goals against:10th among forwards
x goals differential: 9th among forwards

The only thing saving him is a career best shooting percentage, way above the normal for him. My eye yest doesn't tell he is sniping better, it seems like luck. And he's not shooting much at all anymore. That is confirmed by the stats and the eye test, barely above one shot per game.

This is not linemates and system.

What I said was the advanced stats don’t show him getting caved in. He’s right around average in Corsi and Fenwick. I didn’t say they showed he was killing it or anything.

And yes, an offensive zone start doesn’t help much when you lose the draw. Does that not make sense?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

And yes, an offensive zone start doesn’t help much when you lose the draw. Does that not make sense?

It does make sense.

But Calgary is running about 45%, or they lose 1 more in 20 than average.

45% is actually quite bad, as the vast majority of teams run between 55% and 45%. It's really only 1-2 extra faceoff wins per game.

You make it sound like they lose every faceoff he's involved in.

So, Huberdeau, when having a faceoff in the offensive zone, would lose less than one faceoff per game more than average. Which is not meaningful.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

It does make sense.

But Calgary is running about 45%, or they lose 1 more in 20 than average.

45% is actually quite bad, as the vast majority of teams run between 55% and 45%. It's really only 1-2 extra faceoff wins per game.

You make it sound like they lose every faceoff he's involved in.

So, Huberdeau, when having a faceoff in the offensive zone, would lose less than one faceoff per game more than average. Which is not meaningful.

Calgary is running 45%. But that line typically has had the most inexperienced centres as well.

Anyway, they are not getting o-zone starts because they are bad at D and are getting caved in. Huberdeau/Zary/Coleman is a decent defensive line. They are getting them because Huberdeau and Zary are better at offence than pretty much any other pairing on the team, unfortunate as that is.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I don't even know what ragging on the guy will accomplish at this point. I don't think anyone's under any impression he'll ever get 100pts again. Is he overpaid for what he brings? Absolutely. Thankfully, Flames don't need the cap space for the next few years.

We're stuck with him throughout his contract, and that's not going to change. He's still an NHL player. Honestly, I'd consider it a huge win if he can get 60 points. He does look a lot more engaged and willing to work on his game, and he does seem like a good locker room guy. At least he's not sulking about his point production or not getting enough ice time.

Yeah, at this point the expectations for Huberdeau should be 50 points and a solid vet who sets a good example to the younger guys. If he starts dogging it or being a black cloud in the dressing room, that’s when he should be called out. But his play on the ice is what it is.

[Jason14h]

I actually forget he’s on the team most games

I’m not even mad or frustrated anymore - more of a running joke what this guy has become

Hitting the post of the empty net semi breakaway basically summed up his time here

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No, I'm saying he's leading the forwards in blocks, which was the subject of Locke's hilarious joke. Take a break, dude, you are too worked up.

You are the one who should take a break.
We get it, you bought his jersay, told everyone how great he would be.
You got it wrong.
No need to defend him all day long. His play speaks for itself.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

What I said was the advanced stats don’t show him getting caved in. He’s right around average in Corsi and Fenwick. I didn’t say they showed he was killing it or anything.

And yes, an offensive zone start doesn’t help much when you lose the draw. Does that not make sense?

Corsi and Fenwck aren’t very telling. The advanced stats relative to the team speak for themselves. “He’s not killing it”? Come on man, blaming his linemates still?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Corsi and Fenwck aren’t very telling. The advanced stats relative to the team speak for themselves. “He’s not killing it”? Come on man, blaming his linemates still?

I think you are misunderstanding the phrase. "He's not killing it" means he's not playing well.

And yeah, his linemates to date get a share of the blame for his production. If he makes a pass and the guy misses or shoots into a chest, is that Huberdeau's fault? If the linemates skate into coverage and any pass is going to be into that traffic, is that his fault? Like I said, it's a team game. Unless it's an end to end rush, every goal needs at least a couple contributors.