Jonathan Huberdeau Opens Up About Surprising Nature of Trade to Calgary
The trade that sent Matthew Tkachuk to Florida shocked the hockey world. At the time, rumors were swirling around the then-Flame and no one knew where he was heading. The instant the trade was reported, the hockey world's collective jaw went through the floor. By the sound of it, Jonathan Huberdeau's reaction wasn't too dissimilar.
Matt Larkin of The Daily Faceoff conducted an exclusive interview with the Flames' newest star in which Huberdeau shared the influx of emotions, positive and negative, as well as how precisely the trade went down.
Like many NHLers, Huberdeau plays in a summer beer league with his close friends, and one night he was hanging in the parking lot after a game when suddenly he gets a phone call.
Huberdeau looked at his friends.
«I don't think he's calling me for an extension at this time of night,» he said.
Made easier with the inclusion of fellow teammate MacKenzie Weegar, Huberdeau was shocked by the trade to say the least. The 3rd overall pick for the Panthers in 2011 has entrenched himself atop the league's offensive producers, breaking the NHL's record for assists by a left wing in 2021-22 (85).
Over the next few days, Huberdeau settled into the trade and was then visited by Flames' GM Brad Treliving, who flew to Montreal where the two shared a dinner, which ultimately led to the two sides signing a massive eight-year, $84 million contract ($10.5 AAV). At first glance, it seemed like a hasty move, as the forward hadn't spent a day in the city with the exception of a couple road trips.
Huberdeau ranks fourth in scoring over the past four NHL seasons, so any offense the Flames lost this offseason in Gaudreau and Tkachuk ought to get supplemented by the former Panther and newly signed C Nazem Kadri. In addition, Calgary now boasts one of the best blue-lines in the league, and they are set to field an intensely competitive group in 2022-23.
Huberdeau plans to wear #10 for the Flames, as Mikael Backlund currently occupies the #11 to which the 100-point scorer has grown accustom. Atop Huberdeau's list of things to look forward to are the passion of the city as well as the strength of the team. Going from the market in South Florida to the Great Plains of Alberta will definitely be a culture shock, but Huberdeau and the Flames have a strong future ahead in the short-term.
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 29 | 96 ANSWERS Jonathan Huberdeau Opens Up About Surprising Nature of Trade to Calgary Will the Flames repeat as Pacific Division champions in 2022-23? | ||
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| No | 48 | 50 % |
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YESTERDAY
APRIL 24, 2026
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Lawson Crouse | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Leo Carlsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Kirby Dach | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jackson Lacombe | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Connor McDavid | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alexandre Texier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Evan Bouchard | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Nic Dowd | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Lane Hutson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kasperi Kapanen | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Alexander Killorn | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mason McTavish | 1 | - | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||