Quebecer Jonathan Huberdeau had a miserable season with the Calgary Flames in 2022-2023 and now that a new head coach has taken his place behind the bench, everyone is expecting a strong return from the veteran forward.
After suffering a 60-point deficit in his Alberta debut, the 30-year-old recently said it will be easy to do better next year. The former Florida Panthers hope the arrival of Ryan Huska, Darryl Sutter’s successor as coach, will help him get back on track. Huska obviously shares this desire and the optimism is palpable.
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“He’s one of the best players in the National Hockey League and everyone has a tough year sometimes. He’s making sure he comes back to be the best he can be and that’s why we’re going to push him every day. “I really feel like you’re going to see a different player this season,” Pilot predicted to Sportsnet. He’s hungry, he’s motivated. We talked a lot about the transition he went through last year and the snowball effect that followed during the campaign.
“This is all over. “I will give him challenges and ask him for his help on certain things, such as integrating the players well, because he has several leadership qualities,” he continued. So I think he will consider being an important part of this group.”
Find chemistry
Now we have to wait and see what awaits Huberdeau on the ice. He says he’s got his confidence back, but Huska needs to figure out which teammates will help him on his line.
“We kind of know where we would like to see him. What is certain, however, is that he will see different people at his side at shows, the instructor admitted. If you build chemistry early, it remains a matter for everyone involved. He will have an immense influence on his center half. It goes both ways.”
Huberdeau totaled 55 points last regular season and the Flames missed the playoffs. Sutter, who has been in office since 2020-2021, suffered the ax and made headlines for his less than warm treatment of players, including the star striker.