2023-12-29 00:15:00
Jonathan Huberdeau is not the type to bury his head in the sand. He is fully aware of his difficulties on the ice and he did not try to shy away from it when he met with journalists on Thursday.
The Calgary Flames winger is in the midst of a 12-game point streak, but despite everything, he is trying to cling to the positives.
“It’s more difficult since I’ve been here,” admitted Huberdeau. It’s a process and I try to persevere. I see positives in my game, I have to build on that. If I focus on the negative, I will suffer. I have to dig myself out of the hole. »
Things are not going as Huberdeau had planned when he signed an eight-man contract for $84 million on August 4, 2022. He knows that there are many criticisms once morest him, he knows that at the current rate, he would just cross the 30 point mark this year and he knows that his success is closely linked to that of the Flames. But at this point, the only way for Huberdeau to get out of his slump is through a constructive approach.
“I’m trying to forget regarding it at this point.” I might go 60 games without a point… (laughs). I want points, but I stop thinking regarding them, because otherwise I’ll become frustrated. I take it one day at a time. »
During Thursday’s practice, head coach Ryan Huska paired Huberdeau with Elias Lindholm and Yegor Sharangovich. The three men started the season on the same unit, before being separated a few games later.
Upon his arrival in Calgary, Huberdeau was expected to form an inseparable duo with Lindholm, but the two players are still looking for chemistry on the ice and have been separated more often than not since the beginning of the season. In recent games, Huberdeau completed a line with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman.
“I make plays, but it doesn’t fit,” summarized Huberdeau, who is always very frank, regardless of his difficulties. “It might not be what people see, but in my opinion, I’m making passes and getting scoring chances. It’s a question of time. It’s been a long time since I got a point. I’ve been hitting posts, things like that, but I think I’m making good plays on the ice. »
Huberdeau, who came to Calgary following a 115-point season, including 85 assists, with the Panthers in 2021-22, is in the midst of the worst offensive drought of his career. He has only four goals and 11 assists in 35 games this season.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a streak like this. I don’t get a point, I get the 3rd pass, it’s not easy, but I can’t let it all affect me too much. Obviously, I’m affected, but I’m not giving up to regain my confidence. With confidence, the points will come. »
After a defeat once morest the Kraken on Wednesday evening, the Flames (14-16-5) benefit from a few days of preparation before welcoming the Flyers on Sunday.
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