

As Jonathan Huberdeau enters his fourth season with the Calgary Flames, having been traded from the Florida Panthers in a major deal involving Matthew Tkachuk in 2022, his journey has been met with challenges. Compared to Tkachuk's back-to-back Stanley Cup wins with the Panthers, Huberdeau's performance in Calgary has yet to reach the heights many had anticipated. The much-anticipated signing of an eight-year, $10.5-million AAV contract extension set high expectations, but Huberdeau has struggled to replicate his Florida form, where he reached a stellar 115-point total in his final year. In Calgary, his ceiling has stalled at 28 goals and 62 points in a single season. Huberdeau, hailing from Saint-Jerome, Quebec, rose to prominence in the NHL when he debuted with the Panthers in the 2012-13 season after being picked third overall in the 2011 draft. His exceptional entry into the league secured him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie. Spending a decade with the Panthers, he became a cornerstone of the franchise, breaking various offensive records before the trade that also included MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and a 2025 first-round pick. Over 14 NHL seasons, Huberdeau's legacy has grown with 261 goals and 803 points in 956 matches across his time with Florida and Calgary. His playoff presence has added five goals and 21 points in 26 games, predominantly with the Panthers—a testament to his skills during high-pressure moments. Recently, Huberdeau's status has been labeled as day-to-day following a lower-body injury. The Flames and their fans eagerly anticipate his recovery, hopeful for a return to form that aligns more closely with the promise shown in his early career.