Calgary Flames Star Forward Shows Lots Of Emotions After Being Benched

PUBLICATION

Hunter Bowman
November 8, 2023 (1:49 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Jonathan Huberdeau's performance with the Calgary Flames has fallen short of expectations, especially considering his hefty contract and the high-scoring reputation he brought from the Florida Panthers.

While the blame for his first year in Calgary could be placed on coaching, the arrival of new head coach Ryan Huska was expected to turn things around. However, Huberdeau's early-season performance still leaves much to be desired.

In a recent game against the Nashville Predators, Huberdeau found himself benched for the entire third period, with the Flames trailing 2-1. His visible frustration on the bench was hard to ignore. Despite playing a total of 14 minutes and 24 seconds over 14 shifts during the game, the fact that he didn't see any ice time in the third period raised serious concerns.

When questioned about the decision to bench Huberdeau, Coach Huska responded to Eric Francis, indicating the challenges faced by both player and coach in integrating Huberdeau effectively into the team.

In the stats department, Huberdeau has managed just six points in 12 games, with only two assists in his last eight outings. He's also sporting a disappointing minus-12 rating and has accumulated only 17 shots. Although his struggles are evident, his determination remains unquestionable.

Given the significant financial commitment the Flames have made to Huberdeau, there is an expectation that the coach and player will need to find a way to make it work. While there's hope for an eventual turnaround, there are also concerns that Huberdeau might never fully live up to his contract. With the salary cap expected to rise in the coming years, this situation could potentially lead to trade discussions down the line.

Source: Houseofhockey