Calgary is a ‘great fit’ for new Flame Huberdeau
CALGARY — After a tumultuous begin to the low season, the Calgary Flames introduced some excellent news late Thursday night time with the signing of newly acquired left-winger Jonathan Huberdeau to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension.
“They’re the workforce that traded for me, and also you need to play for a workforce that wishes you,” mentioned Huberdeau on Friday morning. “I am excited to be a Flame for the subsequent 9 years. That was my objective proper, from the get-go, and we bought it accomplished.”
Final season, Calgary was 50-21-11 to take prime spot within the Pacific Division and publish the franchise’s second-best common season in 5 a long time. However after being knocked out within the second spherical of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers, the unhealthy information continued into the low season with the departure of star ahead Johnny Gaudreau in free company, who signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Issues took one other unhealthy flip when star right-winger Matthew Tkachuk knowledgeable the workforce that he wouldn’t signal an extension, placing him able to depart as an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the upcoming season.
Not about to threat dropping two-thirds of what was one of many NHL’s prime traces final season, with out getting one thing in return, Flames basic supervisor Brad Treliving pulled the set off July 22 on a blockbuster sign-and-trade cope with Florida that despatched Tkachuk — with an eight-year, $76-million deal agreed to — and a fourth-round choose to the Florida Panthers in trade for Huberdeau, defenceman MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt, and a first-round choose.
Lower than two weeks later, Huberdeau is not a yr away from free company, additionally, after agreeing to the largest deal in Flames’ franchise historical past.
“I solely had one yr left and I used to be like, what, I desire a dedication and I need to flip the web page for good and concentrate on the brand new workforce,” Huberdeau mentioned. “I believed it was a terrific match for me, nice metropolis to play in, that is why I wished to get it accomplished.”
The signing comes only a few days after Treliving flew to Montreal to satisfy Huberdeau in particular person over dinner, a gesture that was appreciated and influential on the 29-year-old’s choice.
“He did not have to do this, we might have had a Zoom or one thing like that, however I feel in particular person, that is the way you get to know somebody higher and I appreciated him taking the time to return and see me from Calgary, it’s not a brief flight,” mentioned Huberdeau. “We simply had a terrific dialog, and he flew again proper after. That made me suppose that they actually care about me and so they need me to remain right here.”
For Huberdeau, who might be 30 when the contract kicks in, the $10.5-million annual common worth is a hefty increase from his present six-year deal that pays him $5.9-million yearly. It additionally concludes a wild stretch for Huberdeau, who had been a part of the Panthers group for 11 years after being chosen third total within the 2011 NHL Draft.
“Emotionally, it has been a roller-coaster for the previous few weeks,” Huberdeau admitted. “Clearly, the shock of the commerce, I used to be slightly down, however on the finish of the day, you need to look ahead in life and that is what I advised myself and my household. It was essential to show the web page.”
In Calgary, Huberdeau will proceed to pursue post-season success, which has largely eluded him in his professional profession up to now. In his 10 years with the Panthers, he solely made the post-season thrice and final yr’s second-round exit was the one journey past the primary spherical.
It can even be the primary time the Montreal native might be enjoying in a Canadian market since 2012 when he wrapped up his junior hockey profession with the Saint John Sea Canines.
He says his mother and pa can’t wait to go out west and take a look at his new metropolis.
“They have been actually excited,” Huberdeau mentioned about his mother and father, who might be available on the Scotiabank Saddledome when Calgary opens the season on Oct. 13 towards the reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. “It is a huge chapter in my life and they will comply with me wherever I’m going, however clearly they will be there. They’ve already booked their flights.”
Coming off a career-best 115-point season through which Huberdeau tied Gaudreau for second in league scoring, the six-foot-one left-winger is raring to get again at it.
“Simply excited to get going,” he mentioned. “Now that the enterprise facet is out of it, it is go win some video games.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Aug. 5, 2022.
Darren Haynes, The Canadian Press
