NOTEBOOK: Huberdeau Named First Star; Barkov, Forsling Close to Returning

In today's Baptist Health Practice Notebook, Jonathan Huberdeau earns a big honor from the NHL, while Aleksander Barkov, Gustav Forsling and other injured Cats are close to returning.
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -With the week he had, you knew accolades would follow.
Leading the league in scoring with nine points (one goal, eight assists) while helping the Panthers bite and claw their way to three straight comeback wins on home ice, Jonathan Huberdeau was named the NHL's "First Star of the Week" for the week ending Dec. 5.

"The last three games he just had the puck on a string," Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette said after Monday's practice at the Panthers IceDen. "There's not many players in the league as fun to watch as he is. It's fun to watch him turn into the player and leader that he is."
After dishing out three assists to help the Panthers erase a three-goal, third-period deficit to claim a 5-4 win over Capitals Nov. 30, Huberdeau then matched a career-high by racking up five points (one goal, four assists) in a 7-4 comeback victory against the Sabres on Dec. 2.
Capping off the week, he added one more assist in a 4-3 shootout win over the Blues on Dec. 4.
"We're missing some guys, so everybody had to step up," Huberdeau said. "It was games that we had to come back in. For me, I'm just trying to work hard. Consistency is a big thing, and I feel like the last few years I've been better with that. This week, the points were coming for me."
Currently playing on a line with Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, Huberdeau said the trio has found good chemistry early on. On most shifts, one of those aforementioned Sams is usually making something happen around the crease, which frees up space for Huberdeau to work.
In Saturday's win over St. Louis, that line owned a ridiculous 86.96% of all shot attempts when they were on the ice at 5-on-5. Overall, Florida led 20-3 in shot attempts, 14-3 in shots on goal and 11-1 in scoring chances during the 13:16 they were deployed, per NaturalStatTrick.com
"They're really good players," Huberdeau said. "They know that with me that they have to get open and I'll pass the puck. I've got to shoot a bit more, but we have a great combination. Reino is a great shooter and Benny works hard and makes the simple plays. I like playing with them."
In 24 games this season, Huberdeau is tied for fifth in the NHL in points (29).
"He's so good to play with," Panthers defenseman Lucas Carlsson said. "When he's on the ice, he makes it so easy for other players. … The first thing you notice about him is his hockey IQ. He sees the ice so well. That makes it really easy for his linemates and every guy out there."
Of course, Huberdeau's scoring spree should come as no surprise.
With a knack for piling up points, he's led the Panthers in scoring in each of the two previous seasons and always ranks among the league's leaders in assists. But when asked about his most-recent outburst, the skilled winger pointed to his increased feistiness more than finesse.
Instead of waiting for the action to come to him, Huberdeau's motor has been running non-stop all season. That's led to an increase in both his physicality and his responsibility. After recording 51 hits and 11 blocks in 2020-21, he's already notched 33 hits and 10 blocks so far this season.
Already a wizard on the power play, he's also carved out a new role on the penalty kill.
"Last year I started playing a little more physical than I'm used to," Huberdeau said. "I think it keeps me in the game. I think I'm better when I play like that. I didn't know I could, I guess. I can still be physical even though I'm not the biggest guy. We all want to win. I believe in this group."
If Huberdeau keeps up his current level of play, more awards are sure to follow.

REINFORCEMENTS ON THE ROAD

Even when you weather a storm, clear skies are still a welcome sight.
Already in possession of the best record in the NHL at 17-4-3, the Panthers will soon be in an even better position to succeed moving forward as captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to return to the action at some point during the current road trip after missing the last eight games.
On Monday, he was skating with Carter Verhaeghe and Maxim Mamin during line rushes.
"It's an encouraging sign for us," Brunette said of this latest development.
Prior to suffering a lower-body injury after a knee-on-knee collision during a 6-1 win over the Islanders on Nov. 16, Barkov, the league's reigning Selke Trophy winner, had been off to a very productive start while leading the Panthers in scoring with 17 points (nine goals, eight assists).
"It's great to see him," Huberdeau said. "He's our best player and our captain. It's good to have him on the ice with us, and Duke and Forsy and well. We have all these guys practicing today."
As Huberdeau noted, Barkov isn't the only player close to returning.
Also on the ice this morning were Gustav Forsling, Anthony Duclair and Olli Juolevi. Forsling, who ranks third among Florida's defensemen with 12 assists, has missed the last three games, while Duclair, who is tied for first on the team with nine goals, has sat out the last five contests.
Yet to play in an NHL game this season, Juolevi just returned from a conditioning stint in the AHL.
When asked about the status of all four players, Brunette said that Barkov and Forsling could both return to the lineup either on Tuesday in St. Louis or Friday in Arizona. Juolevi and Duclair, meanwhile, are on the road and could possibly play before the trip ends on Sunday at Colorado.
"We'll see how they made out here in practice," Brunette said.
Already in a great spot with help on the way, the Cats enter this week full of confidence.
"We know that coming into every game we have a chance to win," Huberdeau said of the team's ever-growing swagger. "It doesn't matter what team we're playing because we're a great team."

MONDAY'S PRACTICE LINES & PAIRINGS

Forwards
Carter Verhaeghe - Aleksander Barkov - Maxim Mamin
Jonathan Huberdeau - Sam Bennett - Sam Reinhart
Frank Vatrano - Anton Lundell - Owen Tippett
Ryan Lomberg - Eetu Luostarinen - Patric Hornqvist
Extras:Anthony Duclair, Joe Thornton
Defensemen
MacKenzie Weegar - Aaron Ekblad
Gustav Forsling - Radko Gudas
Lucas Carlsson - Brandon Montour
Extra:Olli Juolevi
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky
Spencer Knight