Florida Panthers
Jonathan Huberdeau wins NHL best assist. Here are some of his best moves
Jonathan Huberdeau is one of the top playmakers in the NHL and one of his slickest plays of the 2021 season was voted the top NHL assist in the NHL Fan Choice Awards.
Huberdeau’s Spin-O-Rama move has been used numerous times for success and the one that won the fan vote came in February against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Driving toward the net, Huberdeau spun around and found Alex Wennberg for a game-tying goal.
Wennberg, who was reunited with Huberdeau on Florida’s second line in Game 2 against the Lightning with Sam Bennett suspended, says you have to be prepared for anything when it comes to Huberdeau’s skills with his stick.
”That’s an unbeliveable player right there,’’ Wennberg said. “He shows what kind of a passer he is every night. Obviously he is a great scorer as well. For me, just keep your stick on the ice and eventually he’s going to find you. It is great to play with him.
“This year, to see him up close, you get more even more respect for him. …
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”He has eyes in the back of his head and he sees when anyone is open. You never quit on the play. Go to the net, get into the scoring area and he’s going to find you. It’s one thing to see the guy, it’s another to execute it. The pass is right on. He’s a fun guy to play with.”
Huberdeau also had a similar play in Game 1 of the playoffs — the first time he pulled off the Spin-O-Rama in front of a national television audience.
After scoring to tie the score early in the third, Huberdeau picked off the puck and drove toward the net. By charging in on Andrei Vasilevskiy, Huberdeau got the Tampa goalie to commit to him.
Thank you to everyone who voted in the #NHLFanChoice Awards!
Jonathan Huberdeau (@JonnyHuby11) is taking home the title of Best Assist for this spinning beauty. 👏 pic.twitter.com/99IObckjWc
— NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2021
Huberdeau, sensing he really didn’t have a shot with Vasilevskiy in his way, Huberdeau spun and threaded a perfect pass to Owen Tippett on the other side of the net.
Tippett popped the puck into the net and the Panthers had a 4-3 lead.
Earlier this season, Huberdeau used the same move as he drove the length of the ice and charged in on Vasilevskiy; Huberdeau spun, made a backhanded pass to Anthony Duclair who fired off a one-timer into the empty side of the net.
It was a beauty.
Two years ago, Huberdeau burned Tuukka Rask and the Bruins only he did not pass the puck — he shot it.
Goal, Panthers.