Article content material
A yr in the past, Jonathan Huberdeau needed to face a barrage of questions from reporters about whether or not he might bounce again from a disappointing first season with the Calgary Flames.
On Tuesday, the state of affairs was almost an identical and the questions had been comparable … it’s simply that there have been fewer of them.
Few folks would count on the ahead to return to the shape he confirmed with the Florida Panthers when he put up 115 factors in 2021-22. That doesn’t appear real looking after two seasons wherein recorded 55 factors in 2022-23 after which 52 final yr.
Commercial 2
Article content material
However he’s nonetheless the Flames’ highest-paid participant. The workforce might actually use him being higher offensively, even when he’s not going to get again to his peak.
And to his credit score, Huberdeau does appear to be attempting. He modified up his coaching this low season, for one factor, and is getting into the season with much less strain than previously.
“I believe extra pace,” Huberdeau stated when requested what his focus had been this summer season. “I’m by no means going to be the quickest man, however I believe I get numerous energy, extra energy and stuff, and I had numerous time to do it. I’m actually pleased with the summer season I had, it’s most likely my finest summer season of coaching that I’ve had and I simply must translate that onto the ice.
“I skated extra in the summertime, as effectively, so I really feel higher. The boldness is again. I simply must relay that to right here with the fellows.”
It stays to be seen whether or not a deal with skating and pace goes to translate right into a extra productive model of Huberdeau. However he’s being paid US$10.5 million per season for the following seven years, so enchancment from the 31-year-old is clearly one thing the Flames want to see.
And there’s going to be a highlight on him, whether or not he’s lighting it up or struggling.
Midday Information Roundup
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
By means of two seasons with the Flames, Huberdeau has been keen to face in entrance of the media and face the music with regards to his manufacturing.
He’s accountable, each publicly and personally, and whereas accountability alone doesn’t typically earn hockey gamers contracts that pay them $84 million over eight seasons, it’s not nothing.
And Flames administration is nothing if not assured in Huberdeau’s willingness to place within the work and attempt to discover his manner again to the participant former GM Brad Treliving signed to the most important contract in franchise historical past two years in the past.
“The one factor about Jonathan … he modified up his coaching this summer season, he’s a brilliant aggressive man, he needs to be the very best participant, he needs to win,” stated Flames present GM Craig Conroy. “Simply are available in and play. He’s put numerous strain on himself. He wish to take this workforce and put it on his again, nevertheless it’s a workforce effort.
“He doesn’t must put all of the strain on himself. With (Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman) we now have a very good group of core veterans and we simply must do it collectively. It’s not one one that’s going to win or lose video games right here. It’s going to be a complete workforce right here.”
Commercial 4
Article content material
The Flames have made strikes that would seem to place Huberdeau ready to succeed this season, notably the signing of Anthony Mantha in free company.
On the day Mantha signed, Conroy talked about how the facility ahead may complement Huberdeau’s eye for a cross within the offensive zone. The 2 have labored with the identical Montreal-based expertise and skating coach in previous summers, and Huberdeau totally understands why individuals are intrigued by their potential collectively.
“It’s good, I had the possibility to be with him in the summertime,” Huberdeau stated. “This summer season, he was in Washington however the previous couple summers we’ve skated a pair instances collectively. Clearly, we’re going to turn into nearer.
“He’s the kind of man who has a very good shot and nice hockey sense. We’ll see. I don’t know what the plan is, however we’ll see if we are able to get a bit of French connection on the market.”
The Flames are hoping for the very best and that they may see Huberdeau’s finest this winter.
In any other case, there’s a very good likelihood the identical questions are going to be being requested at the moment subsequent yr.
Article content material
