4 Potential Trade Destinations for Flames' Johnathan Huberdeau
Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy has made it clear league wide, his team is open for business on anyone but four of their core pieces. While conversations have started, and Conroy's already in advanced stages heading into the NHL Draft next month, keep an eye on Jonathan Huberdeau's name.
Conroy's open to retaining half of Huberdeau's contract, as things have never really worked out for the skilled winger with the Flames since being dealt by the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster for Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk's and the Panthers have gone on to win two Stanley Cups, and certainly appear to have 'won' the trade. Now Conroy needs to clean up some of Brad Treliving's mess and retain 50% of Huberdeau's contract just to get someone to bite.
Huberdeau, 32, is signed for $10.5 million through the 2031 season. He holds a full no-movement clause until 2029, so he's certainly going to have all the say in his next chapter of his career. Conroy reportedly asked Huberdeau for a list of teams he'd approve a deal to recently, which hopefully for the Flames sake, gives them a chance to facilitate a deal.
Huberdeau appeared in 50 games last season, scoring 10 goals and adding 15 assists. He averaged 18:07 of ice-time and was playing top-six minutes. As a Flame, Huberdeau's best season was last year when he recorded 62 points in 81 games. It's a far cry from the 115 point, or 92-point seasons he put up as a Panther.
As far as trade destinations go, keep an eye on the San Jose Sharks, who are desperate to add money this summer as they're no where near the salary floor. They could rejuvenate Huberdeau's career playing alongside some of their young talent.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in search of a top-line winger, but does Huberdeau have the skating abilities to keep up to Auston Matthews? Would he be an option for their second line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander? With Gavin McKenna coming, that's hard to say. It would 100% have to be at half the cap hit.
Three other teams that could circle in on Huberdeau include the goal-hungry Nashville Predators, Huberdeau's old rivals in Tampa Bay, and the Chicago Blackhawks, who are looking to veteran talent to surround Connor Bedard with. Huberdeau setting up Bedard could be pretty.
At the end of the day, the Flames are moving on from several veterans, and Huberdeau is certainly one of the players on the trade block, it's just going to cost Conroy a sweetener to get it done.
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
