NHL concern-o-meter: Troubling trends and performances so far in 2023-24

Just a fortnight ago, Jonathan Huberdeau watched from the bench for the entire third period when the Calgary Flames staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Nashville Predators. Alas, it failed to spark a turnaround for the player. This prompted us to resurrect our friend from the playoffs, the concern-o-meter™️. It’s still early in the 2023-24 season, so it may be a bit dramatic to sound alarms just yet. However, some concerning trends and performances have raised red flags in the early stages of the year.

Jonathan Huberdeau Concern-o-meter: 9/10

This brings us back to Huberdeau. It appeared that the Darryl Sutter Effect had a negative impact on several Flames players last year. Management appeared to rely on the notion that the team would bounce back under a new coach. Unfortunately, this hasn’t occurred for Huberdeau, as well as other players in Calgary. This suggests that the current struggle might not be an isolated case, but rather a prevailing trend. At his best, Huberdeau is a talented forward who could have been a contender for the Art Ross Trophy. However, even during his peak in the 2021-22 season, there were evident flaws in his game that should have disqualified him from the Hart Trophy race. Despite his success on the scoresheet, his point totals sometimes overshadowed underlying issues. He was a proficient passer, but his shot assists lacked compared to other successful players. Furthermore, there were concerns about his defense.

Despite that, the decline has been more severe than expected. A stronger emphasis on defense hindered his offensive capabilities in his first year with the Flames. And so far this season, there has been little improvement in reigniting that aspect of his game. Differences in his points-production continue to decline, and that’s a cause for concern, given Calgary’s reliance on him. Despite his remarkable offensive skills, it seems impractical for a team to depend on him to be their number one game-changer. Maybe he is better suited as a secondary star with someone more valuable ahead of him.

In brief, it is essential for the team to find ways to boost Huberdeau’s confidence and help him rediscover his strengths. Although he may not reach the heights of his career, there should be a higher gear above his current level. Concern-o-meter: 7/10

The situation with Huberdeau is reminiscent of the case of Gaudreau, who was brought to Calgary to replace Gaudreau’s top-line caliber playmaking. This unfortunate similarity is further highlighted by the fact that neither player has matched the elite offensive prowess with their new teams. Concern-o-meter: 8/10

The New York Islanders are currently at a .500 winning percentage, which is not overly concerning at this stage of the season. However, a 2-4-4 stretch in their last 10 games has amplified concern on Long Island due to the manner in which they are losing. Despite trailing for a small portion of their games, the team has significant difficulty defending leads, particularly in the third period.

Management took a risk this season by pairing goalies Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid, especially after losing two mainstay defensemen.

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Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.