(1) I expect Gaudreau's style to age much better than Huberdeau's. Hubie is already a lead footed guy, I'm not sure how much more speed he can lose and still be a play driver. I think they'll probably be within 10-20 points apart for the next few years, but then I expect Huberdeau to fall off a bit - he's stylistically pretty similar to a guy like Brad Richards.
(2) Gaudreau is just the better offensive player - he's been asked to carry Monahan nearly his entire career, while Huberdeau has had Barkov. And Huberdeau isn't going to have the benefit of feasting off the PP either, because Calgary's is always terrible. For example - last year, Gaudreau had 90 ES points vs Huberdeau's 72.
As long as he's not asked to carry two 4th line players, that won't be the case.
Sigh... I'll say I agree with most of your post, but for different reasons. I think it's Gaudreau, but not a fair margin (10% or less is my definition), but I agree that I think it'll be close.
I think the projected lines that Huberdeau and Gaudreau will sit on are all untested and uncertain. However, Gaudreau works well with a sniper and a decent speed centre. He has that in Columbus with Laine and whoever they give him for C (Jenner, Sillinger, Texier etc). I agree he's done more with less when doing Gaudreau - Monahan - bottom 6 line combos and he will play across from another legit superstar player in Laine.
Gaudreau can "struggle" with some of the coach's game plans and I'm not sure if that will happen or not with Larsen.
Huberdeau has benefited from having another superstar on the team in guys like Ekblad and Barkov. His quality of line mates in Florida has probably been on par with Gaudreau somewhat in Calgary. Both have shown they can elevate a line, although arguably, Gaudreau has had to elevate lower calibre players than Huberdeau. Huberdeau will not have a superstar line mate, but he should be playing with two star players. I feel like the floor is higher, but ceiling lower vs what Gaudreau will have access to.
Huberdeau should be intelligent enough to tweak his game under Sutter. Lots of players with career years playing for Sutter which could negate the quality of line mates/ceiling issue that he has vs Gaudreau. Some of Huberdeau's criticisms were the same as Tkachuk and Gaudreau. Sutter helped improve the game for both players, no reason to think he cannot for Huberdeau.
Both scored at impressive clips if put in an ideal situation. Both teams will do their best to give the ideal situation.
Expected quality of line mates ceiling: <<Gaudreau (Because Laine if assuming Gaudreau - Jenner/Texier - Laine)
Expected quality of line mates floor: <Huberdeau (Because centre/defensive responsibilities if assuming Lindholm + Mangiapane)
Coach: <Huberdeau (Sutter > Larsen)
8 year point projection:
Gaudreau - 720-800 points.
Huberdeau - 650-750 points
