Are the Flames better or worse after this off-season?

[JKG33]

Not even close to true. Huberdeau can put up points when he has someone else to do the hard work for him but he's never been a guy who drives his line. That's been a weakness his entire career and doesn't seem likely to change now. Gaudreau is a much more impactful player and not by a small amount.

So who was carrying Huberdeau then? Do tell. Was it career 3rd liner Sam Bennett, who's career improved only after joining Huberdeau's line? What about the rotating cast of RWers that line had? Yea that must be it

 

[JKG33]

Not quite. Gaudreau put up considerably more points while a part of his line at 5v5/ES than Huberdeau did as part of his regular linemates. But it’s understandable given the linemate difference. Huberdeau did show he could produce well as the best player on his line with ok linemates, but it’s not a given he would have been as good as Gaudreau was with the quality of Gaudreau’s linemates. Huberdeau was a better PP player though, so it should likely balance out

If Gaudreau was so great, wouldn't his play improve on the PP? Shouldn't he have massively outproduced Huberdeau given his better 5v5 linemates and comparable PP time?

 

[Flamesgod]

This is hilarious. Only after the Flames acquire a player that just put up 115 pts, is there this much negativity surrounding it. 115 pts and he can’t carry his line? I’d have to be incredibly stupid too believe that. Over the last 4 seasons he has the best PPG on the panthers. He’ll have much better regular line mates this year also. This narrative is from butt hurt Oilers and Panthers fans.

 

[lomiller1]

So who was carrying Huberdeau then? Do tell. Was it career 3rd liner Sam Bennett, who's career improved only after joining Huberdeau's line? What about the rotating cast of RWers that line had? Yea that must be it

Huberdeau is better when Sam Bennett is on the ice with him than he is when Sam Bennett is not on the ice. Even when he was mired on the third line in Calgary, Bennett generally made the players around him better.

 

[Cup or Bust]

I doubt Huberdeau ever gets 85 assists again but he is a very good player, so is Kadri. They are really good replacements for what the Flames lost. I would say the Flames are likely about the same.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

If Gaudreau was so great, wouldn't his play improve on the PP? Shouldn't he have massively outproduced Huberdeau given his better 5v5 linemates and comparable PP time?

Because Florida had a way more talented PP? Gaudreau was used to facilitate the PP on the zone entry and they had him playing very high - almost like the point man. So he ended up getting a bunch of tertiary assists.

Huberdeau played much lower on the Panthers PP and wasn't asked to do zone entries. Also helps that he played like 40 more minutes on the PP.

 

[Regal]

If Gaudreau was so great, wouldn't his play improve on the PP? Shouldn't he have massively outproduced Huberdeau given his better 5v5 linemates and comparable PP time?

You realize some players are better at different game states than others, correct?

 

[FlamerForLife]

I love how a certain Oilers fan in this thread is defending and praising Gaudreau like no tomorrow after almost a decade of calling him a "whiner" and "Johnny hobbit"

You'd think after beating the flames in the playoffs they'd finally get over their obsession with Calgary

 

[Mikeaveli]

Around the same. I'm not expecting Huberdeau and Weegar to suddenly become playoff performers but I'd like them to prove me wrong

 

[topshelf15]

I voted better,not in overall skill...But in team construction,they were never going to be able to outskill teams like EDM or Col....So building a fast structured team that can play team defense like their coach prefers is a better route to go

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

Short-term? Better
Long-term? Worse

But if they win a cup in the next 2-3 years, who cares? It's worth it.

 

[cyris]

I think it’s hard to say. Their GM definitely deserves a ton of credit for salvaging what was looking like a disaster of an off season.

I think Johnny Hockey is a better player than Hubs and Tkachuk is better than Kadri.
They did improve their defence but I don’t think Weegar makes or breaks a season for anyone.
I’m also curious how the 2 new forwards to I’ll fit into Sutter’s system. Kadri definitely seems like his kind of player but Huberdeau’s defencive play will drive him insane.

Playoff Kadri is the real wildcard here. When he is in the lineup he has clearly been the best playoff performer of the 4 forwards in question but you also can’t ignore that he has trouble handling his emotions on that elevated stage resulting in him taking major suspensions 3 times in 4 years.

 

[Dieseloil]

Yawn, playoffs

 

[Hisch13r]

About the same

 

[Rubi]

In: Weegar/Huberdeau/Kadri
Out: Tkachuk/Johnny

Actually its...

In: Weegar/Huberdeau/Kadri /Rooney
Out: Tkachuk/ Gaudreau/Monahan/ Gudbranson/ B Ritchie/B Richardson/C Jarnkrok/ R Carpenter

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Completely worse. This is not a video game. Chemistry between players matters.

And they signed some contracts they’ll regret. They should’ve been rebuilding once those two left.

 

[Haatley]

Completely worse. This is not a video game. Chemistry between players matters.

And they signed some contracts they’ll regret. They should’ve been rebuilding once those two left.

Oh. So they won't have chemistry?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Oh. So they won't have chemistry?

The team will have less chemistry and be worse than last season.

 

[Haatley]

The team will have less chemistry and be worse than last season.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[Rubi]

The team will have less chemistry and be worse than last season.

You sound pretty definite and that you know what you're talking about.
What numbers should I pick to win the lottery this week?

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

The team needs to gel and build chemistry right out of the gate. Their top 2 lines will be completely new.

 

[KCC]

Depends if the new top players now for the Flames can be as good as Johnny and Tkachuck were offensively. Both those players had great chemistry together.

 

[Rengorlex]

You sound pretty definite and that you know what you're talking about.
What numbers should I pick to win the lottery this week?

The Flames top line had some of the wackiest on ice goal impacts over a full season since Gretzky & the dynasty Oilers. Whatever happens, their top line will certainly not be anywhere near as good as it was last year. Maybe the other lines will pick up the slack. I'd expect Flames to decline a bit though.