Jonathan Huberdeau seems to have turned a corner to start 2024 with the Calgary Flames. Huberdeau has posted eight points in his last eight games, which includes five primary assists and two goals.
After another disappointing start to the season, Huberdeau is setting the table to have a big second half. The biggest difference in his play can simply be attested to confidence. At his height in Florida, Jonathan Huberdeau passed the puck like no one else, resembling a point guard on the ice with his flashy primary assists.
Plays that looked a lot like this:
He passes the eye test and the metrics. Compared to last season Huberdeau’s xGF is up 9% from last season at +0.14 xGF/60. It appears Jonathan Huberdeau isn’t just on a hot streak. Huberdeau may, in fact, be back.
Here comes Jakob Pelletier
Just as Jonathan Huberdeau is reaching heights we haven’t seen from him in Calgary, Jakob Pelletier is eyeing a return from his preseason shoulder injury.
Pelletier was designated for assignment last week and spoke Thursday about his return.
The young winger’s trademark personality was on display at his first practice, being the loudest one on the ice just as if he had never left. Pelletier’s positive attitude and high motor make him an impactful addition to any locker room but Jonathan Huberdeau had an especially close relationship with the rookie.
Pelletier brought something out of Huberdeau last season that could be described quite bluntly as happiness. Here they are during camp this fall discussing their relationship.
Huberdeau’s recent boost of confidence and Pelletier’s return could line up beautifully, whether they play together or not.
Timing is everything
I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say, I wish Jonathan Huberdeau had looked like this during his first 114 games with the Calgary Flames. On the other hand, this reemergence couldn’t come at a better time.
Last season Huberdeau’s play peaked when he spent time on a line with Jakob Pelletier.
In 2022–23 Jonathan, Nazem Kadri, and Pelletier combined for the second-highest CF% of any Flames line playing a minimum of 100 minutes at 62.1%, only 3% below the Blake Coleman–Mikael Backlund–Andrew Mangiapane line. Although Corsi only accounts for shot attempts, Huberdeau and Kadri’s slumps last season accounted for the line’s low goals per 60, sitting at only 1.97.
The point is that Huberdeau looked the most confident with Pelletier on his line last season. While Huberdeau is riding a hot hand, is it smart for the Flames to reunite the two?
Calgary’s lineup looks different now
Typically, second-year NHL players coming off major surgery don’t jump into the top-six upon their return to the lineup. After Pelletier’s rehab stint, it’s assumed the Flames will ultimately recall the winger. Most likely, Pelletier will start on the fourth line. Combine that fact with Elias Lindholm, Yegor Sharangovich and Huberdeau’s chemistry of late and we have an issue. Or do we?
Pelletier played relatively well across the lineup last season and Huberdeau is hotter than ever in a Calgary sweater. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. As I mentioned before, Huberdeau and Pelletier both impact each other even when they aren’t on the same line. It truly emerged as a friendship last season that gave Pelletier a mentor and injected some positivity and comfort into Huberdeau’s demeanour.
Huberdeau and Sharangovich will hopefully continue to light things up and if the time comes that Pelletier needs some help getting back in stride, you can mix up the lines and combine the two while Huberdeau is riding a hot hand.
All in all, the return of Pelletier will positively impact the Calgary Flames and Huberdeau. Good news to fans pushing for the playoffs, and frankly good news for fans on team tank.
Whether you want a rebuild or a playoff push this deadline, Jakob Pelletier will have a short-term and long-term effect on the team.
