Flames bench Jonathan Huberdeau for entire 3rd period of comeback win over Predators

Jonathan Huberdeau’s first season with the Calgary Flames was one to forget, and his second year in Alberta is off to a similarly disappointing start.

During Calgary’s 4-2 comeback triumph over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Huberdeau found himself on the bench for the entire third period. Interestingly, the Flames scored three goals, including an empty-netter to secure the win.

While Flames coach Ryan Huska insists that Huberdeau’s absence in the third period wasn’t meant to send a message, he did mention that it was an “off night” for the forward. In Huska’s words, “We wanted to try to get a little bit more flow and we went with the guys we felt were going.”

Acquired as the main piece of the Flames’ return when they traded Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers two summers ago, Huberdeau has not quite lived up to the expectations. He had registered 15 goals and 55 points in 79 games for the Flames last season, underperforming compared to his 30-goal, 115-point season with the Panthers in 2021-22.

The switch from Darryl Sutter to Huska as the coach hasn’t yet revitalized Huberdeau, as he has only managed two goals and six points through 12 games this year. However, teammate Dillon Dube believes that Huberdeau, being the positive and hard-working individual he is, will come out of his slump soon.

“He’s a hell of a player, he’s a hell of a person. It’s fine, it’s one period of his life, out of his career, it’s not a big deal,” said Dube.

Looking ahead, Huberdeau will have the opportunity to get back on track as the Flames start an Eastern Canadian road trip with a game in Toronto on Friday.

Reference

Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.