Jonathan Huberdeau's 2016-17 season didn't go anywhere near as planned.
Before a potentially career-ending severed Achilles tendon in the last game of the exhibition season put him on the shelf indefinitely, the word was he had had never looked stronger, faster, and more determined.
Then it all came to a screeching halt.
Florida coaching changes and drama aside, Huberdeau was the missing piece that had both Gerard Gallant and Tom Rowe searching for the right chemistry with their lines.
As good as Jonathan Marchessault was statistically at season's end, even he seemed to be a poor fit in Huberdeau's spot on the first line when given a chance.
Needless to say the trickle effect throughout the lineup was palpable. Who knows where this team would have ended up if healthy from the beginning.
When the Panthers took the ice for their 52nd game of the season, Huberdeau finally returned after an excruciating rehabilitation for him and mentally exhausting wait for fans.
Scoring the game-winner against Anaheim in his season debut was a sight for sore eyes. Soon after the team went on a tear, feeling that their long wait for team health being over would get them firmly in the playoff mix.
Inexplicably the team went into a tailspin that quickly eliminated them from contention and had them booking tee times April 10th instead of preparing for their first round opponent.
Attention needs to be paid to what Huberdeau accomplished in his 31 games. His 26 points (10 goals) ranks 9th on the team in scoring. His .84 points per game over 82 games would equate to roughly 69 points. Vincent Trocheck lead the team with 54 points this year.
But here is the kicker.
After the season was over Huberdeau admitted that he wasn't close to himself after coming back. He understandably was dealing with residual issues after such a terrible injury. But he pushed through and was just under a point a game.
Add to the equation he didn't play with his center, Aleksander Barkov, for the last six games of the year his 26 points are more impressive. Barkov, along with Aaron Ekblad, were shut down early due to nagging injury issues after the season was lost.
With a full summer to truly heal and recondition, what is the ceiling for Huberdeau?
Hypothetically, because injuries are part of the game, what if Huberdeau was back to 100% and played with Barkov for 82 games? Would 69 points be the norm or considered a poor season?
There is plenty of talent from top to bottom on this Florida roster, but whether Jagr returns or not Barkov is the lynchpin that makes Huberdeau's stardom possible.
Connor MacDavid is and will be a superstar for his entire career. He lead the NHL in scoring with 100 points during the regular season.
Huberdeau's projected 69 points would have landed him at 20th in the league...with Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, Jamie Benn, and Mikael Granlund.
Not bad company.
This is projecting 69 points for Huberdeau hobbling along at 70-80% and not nearly the shape he was in before the injury.
If he returns to that form wouldn't 69 points be the bottom and not the top for a player that is blossoming right in front of our eyes? Especially with a healthy Barkov next to him?
15-20 more points is absolutely possible for Huberdeau.
After MacDavid, the top 10 scorers in the league are as follows:
2) Crosby 89
3) Kane 89
4) Backstrom 86
5) Kucherov 85
6) Marchand 85
7) Scheifele 82
8) Draisaitl 77
9) Burns 76
10) Tarasenko 75
Add 15 points to Huberdeau's projections for this year and he's be 6th in the league by himself. Add 20 and he's tied with Kane and Crosby.
Again, yes, these are hypotheticals but there is no question Huberdeau's game has gradually improved each year he's been a pro. It feels like he's been around forever but he is still only 23 years old.
Next year will be his sixth NHL season.
He lead the team in scoring two seasons ago.
If not for the preseason injury Huberdeau might already be considered "elite" by the hockey masses after what was to be a breakout year. While Panther fans will have to wait another season to see if one of the most beloved home-grown players makes his inevitable statement, there is no doubt all the tools are there.
Slowly but surely he is starting to become a shoot-first player instead of a passer, and a balanced approach will serve him well. But the real question is how much?
Does Jonathan Huberdeau have the skills to be a perennial top-10 scorer and elite player? How high can his star rise?
Dan Spiegel
Credentialed Florida Panthers Media
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