Philly wins that deal by a landslide.
- Fosco

There goes our team! Giroux can't carry the whole team.

Imagine there was a Leafs blog about a rookie possibly getting 1st line minutes in their 1st NHL game? The poopstorm would be MASSIVE --so many hits! And yes, I realize the Leafs currently have no prospects as promising as Huberdeau, but it's funny to think about.

Sorry, not a Leafs blog.....carry on
- BestRapperAlive

Well we know huberdeau would most likely get first line minutes on the leafs. I don't think to many people would question it.

Well we know huberdeau would most likely get first line minutes on the leafs. I don't think to many people would question it.
- Crazycaboose

Honestly, he would actually be their best center. I don't think the JVR center experiment is going to last very long.

i didn't mind trading him but they should have gotten a better return. kas might be a monster one day but our window is the next 5 years so for that reason i didn't love the deal. they knew kes was injured so why not keep him as a backup plan.

hindsight is 20/20 but if they had kept hodgson, luongo would have been gone a long time ago. all they would have had to do is to include cody in any luongo deal and they could have gotten a huberdeau in a package coming back.

i don't think cody suits the more physical eastern conference. he's going to get killed nightly which means his parents will demand a trade back to the west.
- therealagent

I agree the the timing and the return of what we got back was surprising and I still don't get it. I would have loved to have seen a Hodgson + Lu deal for Huberdeau, but I'm not to sure that Tallon would pull the trigger on that one. He knows how important is to have a great center like he did with Toews.

Honestly, he would actually be their best center. I don't think the JVR center experiment is going to last very long.
- Nucker101

- TheFondler

I don't disagree about the JVR experiment--- I predict massive failure. Sadly, I've come to expect nothing less.

Huberdeaux should have to earn a roster spot, not a #1 center position. I personally think he is a year or two away from doing anything special. He looks weak and is potentially an injury waiting to happen.

This kid is going to be a beast. Watching all kinds of SeaDogs games. Total domination on his behalf. First line minutes warranted or at least power play time.

I'm personally not a huge fan of throwing an unexperienced player into the first line so quickly. Your and exception if your name is Crosby or ovechkin. I say ease him in on the second line and Once he gains his stride, likely halfway through the season. Bump him up and let him do his thing.

I'm personally not a huge fan of throwing an unexperienced player into the first line so quickly. Your and exception if your name is Crosby or ovechkin. I say ease him in on the second line and Once he gains his stride, likely halfway through the season. Bump him up and let him do his thing.
- vancity787

I agree that is the best approach no reason to rush him.

I agree that is the best approach no reason to rush him.
- Crazycaboose

Hahaha. I don't get agreed with much. This is a rarity. But yes I do think it's the right thing to do

Shouldn't that question be asked AFTER training camp? The NHL is a performanced based business.

I'm personally not a huge fan of throwing an unexperienced player into the first line so quickly. Your and exception if your name is Crosby or ovechkin. I say ease him in on the second line and Once he gains his stride, likely halfway through the season. Bump him up and let him do his thing.
- vancity787

I'd like to see him start the season with Upshall and Mueller to see if there is any magic there. Our top line is used to playing together and it makes them all more effective. Lets see if these 3 can stir some chemistry and if not, give him a shot with Bergy and Goc.

What everyone seems to be missing here is that Hoobadoo hasn't suited up as a centerman now for a year and a half.

he's played his best hockey since being shifted to the wing, and should be kept there. I think he would be an upgrade over Versteeg on that line, who is not as good as the stats seemed to indicate last season.

What everyone seems to be missing here is that Hoobadoo hasn't suited up as a centerman now for a year and a half.

he's played his best hockey since being shifted to the wing, and should be kept there. I think he would be an upgrade over Versteeg on that line, who is not as good as the stats seemed to indicate last season.
- TommyDeVito

I have to say myself I think it would be better to keep him on the wing. That way Nick Bjugstad will be the future number 1 center. We are very deep with good center prospects and weak on left wing I think we would be better off leave huberdeau there.

Hahaha. I don't get agreed with much. This is a rarity. But yes I do think it's the right thing to do
- vancity787

Well you know you can't be wrong all the time. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then!

Yes. A Promising young talent like Huberdeau should get quality minutes. Given the Panthers surprise Division title last year, not much should be expected of the Panthers this season. An 8th seed is a realistic wish for fans, so why not see what Huberdeau can handle right out of the gate?
- trolleytracks

Why's that?

I may not be the most optimistic Panther fan but even I knew we shoulda won the Devils series. I think we were one Huberdeau away of making another Cinderella run at the cup. They played the Devils better than everyone else other than the Kings. I Think Huberdeau will start out centering the 2nd line while Weiss is in the one spot then over the course of the season Huberdeau will take over 1st line center. He's special, has all the tools you need to dominate the NHL, Weiss is a great center played his heart out in the playoffs and it goes unnoticed throughout the NHL. No talk to how great that team played at times last season. Whatever I guess the only way the Panthers gain respect is to win it all. Hopefully someday I'll be able to see it. Too bad all this is for nothing with the lockout coming.