Panthers’ Rowe: Huberdeau ‘a lot better than I thought he was’

It's amazing how looking at things from a different angle can lend a new perspective.

That appears to be the case in Florida, where Panthers general manager/interim head coach Tom Rowe is raving about the play of Jonathan Huberdeau.

"No way did we think he'd jump in and produce the way he is, but he's in phenomenal shape," Rowe said, according to Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel. "He's a terrific hockey player. Being on the bench with him every day he's a lot better than I thought he was."

Rowe, of course, began the season upstairs as general manager, but jumped behind the bench after the Panthers fired Gerard Gallant when Huberdeau was injured.

Huberdeau, who suffered an injury in training camp, has recorded two goals, three assists, and 13 shots in three games, averaging 16:14 of ice time like he never missed a beat.

The different vantage point is helping Rowe see exactly what his team has in the 23-year-old, and the hope is Huberdeau can keep it going as Florida attempts to make a late push for a playoff spot.

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