Star Forward Caught Crying After Being Benched

PUBLICATION

Pat Quinn
November 8, 2023 (9:06)

SHARE THIS STORY

Jonathan Huberdeau has struggled to live up to his contract so far in his Calgary tenure. He does not look like the 100+ point forward that came over from the Florida Panthers.

The first year can easily be blamed on coaching, but with Daryl Sutter gone and new head coach Ryan Huska now in charge things should be turning around, and yet his play has been slow out the gate.

Huberdeau benched in the third period against the Nashville Predators

Huberdeau did not play a shift in the third period with the score 2-1 in favour of Nashville to start the period. He was visibly upset on the bench.

Huberdeau did still play 14:24 in the game, with 14 shifts, but zero shifts in the third period is highly concerning.

When asked about the benching, Huska responded to Eric Francis.

The season so far and where it can go from here

Huberdeau has just six points in 12 games so far, but just two assists in his last eight games. He is also minus 12 and has just 17 shots. Huberdeau is really struggling to fit in and make it work, but you can tell the passion is there.

The coach and player have to work as the Flames have committed a lot of money to Huberdeau. Eventually it should work out, but there is concern that Huberdeau may never live up to his deal. There could be potential for some sort of trade down the line with the salary cap set to rise more and more every year.