The Calgary Flames’ disappointing season last year has sparked a flurry of trade rumors, with star forward Jonathan Huberdeau at the epicenter. According to rumors, Huberdeau is open to waiving his no-move clause to facilitate a trade to a contending team.
Huberdeau, who signed a massive eight-year, $84 million contract extension with the Flames in 2022, clearly doesn’t want to be stuck in a lengthy rebuild. However, moving his $10.5 million annual cap hit for the next seven seasons presents a significant challenge for Calgary’s front office.
Huberdeau Seeking Contender Amidst Flames Rebuild
Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic recently weighed in on the situation, stating that Huberdeau will need to re-establish himself as a point-per-game player to have any trade value. Furthermore, Duhatschek believes the Flames will likely have to retain at least 30 percent of Huberdeau’s salary to entice any potential suitors.
Huberdeau’s production dipped significantly last season, as he managed just 52 points in 81 games – a far cry from his career-high 115-point campaign in 2021-22. The 31-year-old winger will need to rediscover his offensive touch if he hopes to attract interest from contending teams.
The Flames, meanwhile, find themselves in a difficult position. Trading Huberdeau would signal a clear commitment to a rebuild, but finding a suitable trade partner will be no easy task. Calgary may have to settle for a less-than-ideal return or retain a significant portion of Huberdeau’s salary to facilitate a deal.
Personal Insight
In my opinion, the Flames are facing a classic “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” scenario. Keeping Huberdeau on the roster hampers their ability to rebuild, while trading him will likely result in a less-than-ideal return.
The ideal scenario for Calgary would be for Huberdeau to bounce back with a strong 2024-25 season, increasing his trade value and giving the Flames more leverage in negotiations. However, there’s no guarantee that will happen.
The Jonathan Huberdeau trade saga is one of the most intriguing storylines of the NHL season. It will be fascinating to see how it unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
Are you curious about how many points Jonathan Huberdeau will put up this season? Check out our 2024-25 NHL player point projections.
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