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The Calgary Flames got a crushing injury update regarding one of their top veteran forwards heading into the Olympic break.
The Calgary Flames got a crushing injury update on veteran forward Jonathan Hubeardeau. The 32-year-old forward has been the focal point of criticism in Calgary, as he has been unable to replicate the success he had with the Florida Panthers.
Thursday’s news could provide some insight into his declining performance over the last few seasons. The Athletic’s Julian MacKenzie reported that Huberdeau will miss the remainder of this year due to season-ending hip surgery. Huberdeau will undergo hip resurfacing surgery. The procedure, as Flames GM Craig Conroy described, intends to improve Huberdeau’s quality of life and performance on the ice.
“After extensive evaluation, this was determined to be the best course of action for Jonathan’s long-term health and performance.”
Conroy added that the procedure was the result of consultation among various parties. Huberdeau, the Flames’ medical staff, Huberdeau’s agent, and other medical specialists decided that surgery was the best course of action for the veteran forward.
Huberdeau is currently in the third year of an eight-year contract carrying a $10.5 million cap hit. This season, Huberdeau scored 10 goals and 25 points. He’ll likely go on season-ending LTIR, freeing up $3.8 million in cap space the Flames could use for the remainder of the year.
The prevailing chatter is that Calgary will be a seller at this year’s trade deadline. So, it remains unclear what moves the club will make now that Huberdeau will be gone for the remainder of the season.
Huberdeau to Undergo Potential Career-Ending Surgery
Hip resurfacing surgery is an extensive medical intervention in which the femoral head bone is replaced by a metallic tip. The hip socket in which the femoral bone connects gets reshaping, thus creating a more natural contour for the joint to move.
The surgery has had limited success in helping pro athletes get back into game shape. One of the most notable cases was former Anaheim Ducks star Ryan Kesler. He underwent hip resurfacing surgery, but was unable to return to the ice. That’s something the Flames and Huberdeau would like to avoid.
The best case is current Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane. Kane underwent double hip resurfacing. He missed considerable time but has since returned to NHL action. While he isn’t quite the elite player he once was, Kane has hung around long enough to become the NHL’s leading American-born scorer.
As such, the prognosis will hopefully be one similar to Kane than Kesler. While the timeline for Huberdeau’s potential return is unclear, there’s a good chance he could miss next season while recovering from the surgery.
Flames Will Be Looking to Replace Huberdeau’s Scoring
While Huberdeau was unable to replicate his 115-point 2021-22 season, he has been a consistent scorer for the Flames. This year’s deadline could offer Calgary an opportunity to land a potential replacement for Huberdeau. With other veteran forwards like Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman reportedly on the trade block, the club could recoup useful pieces to retool their roster.
The current Olympic roster freeze precludes any actual trades from happening. But there’s a good chance that the hiatus will allow Conroy to work out possible deals. If that’s the case, those deals could go through once the freeze ends on February 22.
Ultimately, the Flames’ deadline strategy could now shift significantly with the vacancy in their top six. The onus will be on replacing Huberdeau will simultaneously addressing long-term needs.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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