Stunning move by Flames to jumpstart Jonathan Huberdeau!

Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau has gone pointless in 12 games and goal-less in 17, prompting fans and pundits to assume that the team would pull a decisive move to get him out of his funk. Hence, head coach Ryan Huska made changes to his lineup ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers, and surprisingly, Huberdeau found himself on the left wing next to Elias Lindholm and Yegor Sharangovich.

This means that Huberdeau is back with orientation linemates from the start of the season, hoping the move will not only help Huberdeau, but also struggling forward Andrew Mangiapane who will join Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman as a checking line.

Huberdeau, who is currently on pace for 35 points after notching 115 in 2021-22, feels he is heading in the right direction though some fans will say he is back with a centre he’s shown little to no chemistry with in Lindholm.

“I think I’m making plays,” he said, “it’s just not going in. Maybe that’s not what everybody sees, but in my opinion, I’m making passes and getting chances. I think it’s a matter of time. It’s been a lot of games with no points, but…I just feel like I’m making good plays out there.”

Head coach Huska knows the two of them have to find chemistry.

“Elias and Jonathan, if we go that way and use that line together, they have to work together, that’s the biggest thing,” Huska said after Thursday’s practice. “They have to figure out how to get on that same page and if we’re looking at our team and need to find a little bit more from certain people, they’re two of our key players and they need to find a way to come together and get the job done for us.”

There is so much pressure on Huberdeau especially since he is playing the first season of an eight-year, $84 million contract, and these changes will need to produce something, anything if the Flames want to avoid missing the postseason again.

The Flames (14-16-5, 33 points, fifth in Pacific Division) are five points out of the second wild-card spot in Western Conference.

“I stopped thinking about it because if not, it’s just going to make me frustrated,” Huberdeau admitted about blocking out the noise and staying focused.

Facts are facts: Huberdeau is the highest-paid player on the Flames roster ans has just got four goals and 11 assists through 35 games this season. Now he’s being given an opportunity to play with two linemates who have a track record of productivity in the offensive zone and he must capitalize!

If not, another move will have to occur and that could be Huberdeau sitting in the press box…

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