With the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft the Florida Panthers selected the skillful Jonathan Huberdeau (forward). The skilled Left-Winger was invited to the Florida Panthers development camp, as well as the main training camp. In both camps he showed amazing potential and wowed the coaches, staff, and fans. Following those solid looks into game performances during the rookie games against the Lightning (2 games) and the Predators (1 game), playing on the 1st line, being named 1st star after the game 1 victory over the Lightning as hoping to bring those talents into the pre-season. In just his first pre-season game against the Predators he became the 1st star once again, tipping a Gudbranson slap-shot for a goal, and a beautiful assist to Santorelli. He showed poise, amazing vision, hockey IQ, great puck/stick handling abilities, and just having a knack for getting on the scoresheet. even though the young 18 year old Huberdeau only weighs give or take 175lbs he doesn't go down easily. That has been the main issue with him, is the weight. Players like Patrick Kane, who are smaller, show that you don't need to be huge to succeed at the NHL level, it's more the skill, but there is no doubting that more size makes it easier on the player. He has incredible balance, skating ability, and even delivered a solid check during that 1 pre-season game so far. I've even seen him stick up for team mates and i've yet to see him fall once. He can handle the puck through heavy traffic yet still remain control. Can strip it from opposing players as well as having a solid 2-way game where he is effective in his own end as well. So my question is this...what do the Panthers do? If he continues to "wow" during the pre-season should he be given a shot on the main club? Should they send him back to juniors for another year anyways to mature, develop more, gain size and strength, and play for team Canada? Should they at least sign him and give him the "9 game tryout" and go from there? Read more after the Jump.
