Huberdeau speaks on hard feelings watching Panthers win Stanley Cup

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Liam McCormick
July 9, 2024 (8:22)

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Jonathan Huberdeau played ten seasons with the Florida Panthers, becoming their top player in franchise history, only to be traded and win the Stanley Cup.

In a new interview with a French publication, Huberdeau got honest about how tough it was to see his former team lift the cup, and how he knows he's letting the Flames down with his contract.

It's hard to see the guys lift the cup. You tell yourself, I was there for 10 years, during difficult times. But that's how you build a team. When you're young, you don't care, you just want to build your career. Now I'm back in this situation, but a little older.

I'm sure it's tough to get traded. I knew it by signing the contract, but I didn't know how it was going to go. I thought I was going to produce points, that it would go well, but the defensive game system didn't help.

The 31 year old Huberdeau only scored 12 goals and 52 points last season, and with 7 years left on his contract that pays him $10.5M each year, he'll be stuck in Calgary no matter how unhappy he is. If his production continues to decline, Huberdeau's contract will quickly be one of the worst in the NHL - if it isn't already.

With the Pacific division having a few powerhouse teams at the top, it's abundantly clear that the Calgary Flames are entering a rebuild and will not be competitive for the next few seasons. This offseason, NHL insiders have also reported that they're exploring trades for Nazem Kadri. They tried their best to pivot after losing Tkachuk and Gaudreau, but it sunk the team.

Jonathan Huberdeau didn't say he necessarily finds himself unhappy in Calgary, just that he's incredibly disappointed on missing out in Florida, and with his own performance with the Flames. It's all on him though, he needs to be able to turn it around and repair his reputation as a star player in the NHL.

Source: La Presse

Huberdeau speaks on hard feelings