Both the San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames have gotten off to—to put it nicely—less-than-ideal starts. For the Sharks and their team direction, a 2–10–1 record is exactly what they want. For the Flames, a 4–8–2 record is definitely not where they would have predicted they’d be, nor where they want to be at all. One of the reasons the Flames find themselves where they are is due to the play of their highest-paid players. The Flames were a massive news story on Tuesday night when Jonathan Huberdeau didn’t see the ice for a single second in the third period against the Nashville Predators. The Flames rallied back in the third to beat the Predators 4–2, so that can’t be a good feeling for Huberdeau.
Huberdeau had some excuses last year. Coming to a brand new environment, having a coach he didn’t like, new linemates, etc. That was then, but he’s now been a Calgary Flame for over 90 games. The excuses don’t mean much anymore. In the end, he has to figure it out and make this situation work. He is just beginning the first season of his eight-year, $84M contract extension ($10.5M AAV). With a full no-move clause and $61.5M of his extension coming in signing bonuses, he’s stuck with the Flames, and the Flames are stuck with him. Because both parties are joined at the hip, it sounds like there’s a focus from the Flames to acquire players whom they view as potential fits for Huberdeau.
The Flames will try and acquire players to fix Jonathan Huberdeau
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has discussed the adage of the Flames and Huberdeau working with each other recently. In his latest written 32 Thoughts, Friedman noted the following:
But, as the Flames peruse the trade market (which they’ve begun seeing what’s out there), they will target individuals who they believe are a fit with Huberdeau.
Elliotte Friedman regarding the Flames and Jonathan Huberdeau
I certainly hope that doesn’t mean the Flames are going to go out and acquire players for futures. In fact, they should be doing the exact opposite. But I also think swapping players could work, as opposed to the Flames targeting strictly futures if they begin to sell assets. One of those players that makes a lot of sense is Anthony Duclair.
Anthony Duclair
The fit with Jonathan Huberdeau is obvious. Duclair and Huberdeau both had career years (58 and 115 points, respectively) in the 2021–22 season playing on a line with one another. There is a chemistry between these two players. Now, I don’t believe they would be able to magically be able to create what they did in Florida. But even a marginal improvement from Huberdeau would be incredibly welcomed. Could reuniting him with the linemate he had so much success with spark Huberdeau? At this point, why not try, right? Now there is a caveat as there are a lot of injury concerns with Duclair, but I still think he could be a good add. If things work out well, you can try and extend him in the summer. If not, you tried, and you’re not locked into any contract, so you cut ties. No harm, no foul.
A proposal that could work for both teams: Dube for Duclair
Now, I’m not suggesting the Flames go out and send a second rounder San Jose’s way for Duclair. The team isn’t in a position to do that. But, if San Jose would be open to a player-for-player swap, I think that’s something you should look into. My proposed player heading back to San Jose would be Dillon Dube. Dube has gotten a ton of opportunity in Calgary, and it just hasn’t worked with the Flames. I still think Dube would have some value around the NHL. He’s still relatively young, still be under team control after this season, is versatile, and is fast.
Why does San Jose do this deal? They turn a UFA into an RFA, plain and simple. Instead of potentially losing Duclair for nothing in the summer, they replace him with a younger Dube who they would still have team control of. Now, it might make more sense for the Sharks to trade Duclair at the deadline for a draft pick. But the Sharks are weird. Who knows what they’ll do.
Calgary in turn trades that team control on Dube for the chance that Duclair can help fix Huberdeau. Given the investment the team has made in Huberdeau, I think sacrificing the change in an RFA to UFA for the chance Duclair helps Huberdeau rebound wouldn’t be an issue. They wouldn’t view it this way, but getting rid of Dube now prevents the team from signing Dube to an extension when it just continues to not work here.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
