The NHL offseason is a breeding ground for trade speculation, and the rumor mill is already heating up. One potential blockbuster deal that’s gaining traction involves the Calgary Flames and the Los Angeles Kings swapping forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Both Huberdeau and Dubois inked massive contracts but have failed to meet their hefty price tags. A change of scenery could reignite their careers, and a Flames-Kings swap makes sense for several reasons:
Calgary Flames and LA Kings: A Blockbuster Trade in the Making?
1. Addressing Salary Cap Woes
Huberdeau and Dubois’ contracts are remarkably similar, carrying high cap hits. Swapping them would be a relatively clean salary exchange. The Kings might ask for some salary retention on Huberdeau’s contract.
2. Finding the Right Fit
Huberdeau’s playmaking prowess hasn’t meshed well with the Flames’ system. His creativity could flourish alongside the Kings’ talented young core centered around Quinton Byfield. Meanwhile, Dubois’s blend of size, skill, and grit would add much-needed physicality to a Flames’ top-six forward unit that seems too focused on perimeter play.
3. Sending a Shockwave
Both franchises are desperate for change. A high-profile trade would send shockwaves through the league. The Flames and Kings need to shake things up, and acquiring a player with untapped potential could be the answer.
While there are challenges in any trade of this magnitude, the concept of a Huberdeau-Dubois swap is undeniably intriguing. General managers Craig Conroy and Rob Blake are likely exploring all options, and this blockbuster proposal should gain steam as we approach the offseason.
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