DAILY HOCKEY DOSE | NHL TEAM | CALGARY FLAMES

Jonathan Huberdeau Responds to Questions About his Struggles from Last Season in Calgary

PUBLICATION

Arron Murphy
September 15, 2023 (6:23 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

A Change of Scenery.

Last summer, a blockbuster trade between the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames shook the hockey world. Jonathan Huberdeau and the talented defenseman MacKenzie Weegar found themselves in Flames jerseys, while gritty forward Matthew Tkachuk headed south to the Sunshine State. Notably, all three players swiftly inked long-term extensions with their new teams.

Despite the high hopes, Huberdeau's debut season with the Flames proved to be a challenging one. In his 79 games on the ice, he could only muster 55 points. Shockingly, he etched his name into the NHL record books, claiming the title of the player with the most significant drop-off in production, plummeting 60 points compared to his previous season. This plummet hadn't been seen in almost two decades, adding to the frustration. His public exchanges with the old-school coach Darryl Sutter and frequent relegation down the lineup didn't help matters.

"I�just feel like last year I didn't know what I�was coming into, it was different for me,"�he said. "But it's nice to be finally settled, got a house here, I know what to expect. It's fun. It feels way more comfortable and I'm happy to be here."

A New Beginning

However, a new era is dawning for the Flames, led by their former assistant coach, Ryan Huska, now in charge behind the bench. Huberdeau is determined to make a comeback of epic proportions. The Flames are banking on him not only for his scoring prowess but also for his leadership, particularly among the younger members of the team.

"I�can be a leader and that's one of my strengths", Huberdeau said.�"Last year was more tough for me to kind of do it, but this year, I think I'm going to be a leader on and off the ice as well. I want to show that and show my teammates what I�can do."

As the Flames prepare for a crucial season with several players approaching free agency, including Michael Baklund, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Nikita Zadorov, and Noah Hanifin, Huberdeau is keenly aware of his role. He knows that to ensure these impending free agents choose to stay in Calgary, the team must rally, perform well, and make a strong case for a promising future.

"Every team has guys who are on one-year contract and they have to decide what they're going to do,"�he said.�"But at the end of the day, I�think we're going to be a good team and they're going to see that. Hopefully, we want everyone to stay and we have a good fit and room here. It's going to be exciting but it's not our decision. We're not going to think about that, but we're going to go in and try to have a good start to training camp."

It seems that Huberdeau is ready to be a vital part of that equation and help the Flames secure a brighter tomorrow.

As Read On Hockey Feed - «Jonathan Huberdeau has perfect response to Flames coaching change"

Previously on Daily Hockey Dose

Jack Eichel Shares Honest Opinion on the Sabres After Winning the Stanley Cup

Insider Reveals The Leafs' Potential Ask for William Nylander

Friedman Reveals Boston Bruins Eyeing Young Star Prospect

POLL
15 SEPTEMBRE \| 63 ANSWERS Jonathan Huberdeau Responds to Questions About his Struggles from Last Season in Calgary Will Jonathan Huberdeau have a bounce back season?
Yes	42	66.7 %
No	21	33.3 %
LIST OF POLLS