The Calgary Flames’ expectations won’t be high this season, and Jonathan Huberdeau should be included. Huberdeau has now spent two full seasons in Calgary, recording 107 points combined during both years. That is less than his point total during the 2021–22 season alone, where he recorded 115 points in 80 games.
During his time with the Florida Panthers, Huberdeau was viewed as a dynamic playmaker who would improve everyone around him. Sadly, he hasn’t come close to having that type of reputation in Calgary, and on some nights, he has even been described as a liability.
So, what are Flames fans expecting from Huberdeau this season? He’ll be entering his second year on an eight-year, $84 million deal, which is currently considered one of the worst contracts in the entire league. We know that the Flames aren’t going to be very good this season, and in my opinion, expectations for the 31-year-old winger shouldn’t be overly high.
Huberdeau never established his game in Calgary
In reality, players like Huberdeau flourish the most when surrounded by elite talent. His role on a team is more suited to a complementary piece rather than a player you build around. Since the Flames had no star talent to pair with Huberdeau, he was seen as being “the guy” for the foreseeable future,
Calgary viewed Huberdeau as their “Johnny Gaudreau replacement” after Gaudreau left for the Columbus Blue Jackets. This wasn’t a far-fetched idea, as both players had similar roles as top-line playmakers. Calgary acquired Huberdeau to put up points and be the playmaker they knew he was to successfully complement their goal-scorers.
However, the difference between Calgary and Florida was that the Panthers’ roster had more elite talent and better players than the Flames had. Calgary’s leader in goals in 2022–23 was Tyler Toffoli, a great player but not a star by any means. Under Darryl Sutter, the Flames also were a more defensively-minded team, while Florida operated under a system that emphasized offence, which works better for Huberdeau’s game.
It was clear from day one that Huberdeau did not fit into Sutter’s system. He also didn’t pair well with players like Elias Lindholm and Nazem Kadri, which made things even more challenging. Fast-forward to the 2023–24 season, Huberdeau still struggled to find consistent chemistry with his linemates despite head coach Ryan Huska and his staff trying various options.
What are Flames fans expecting from Huberdeau this season?
In an ideal world, Huberdeau would be back scoring 80-90 points per season. However, his current trajectory isn’t good, and his performance could foreshadow a greater decline as his career progresses.
Expectations for Huberdeau among Flames fans are split. Many want to see him return to form, as his contract is hefty. On the other hand, fans know that the Flames are in a rebuild, and with that comes significantly less talent on the roster to pair a player like Huberdeau with.
My expectations are pretty low. I expect Huberdeau to stay within the 50-60 point range. However, I want to be proven wrong. There’s a chance that as the Flames bring up more young talent, chemistry may develop. At this point, Huberdeau is viewed as a solid veteran presence in the locker room to aid the young guys, and positive aspects could translate to the ice. Only time will tell, but for the Flames’ sake, witnessing a Huberdeau bounce back would make their situation much easier.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
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