Speculation: Jonathan Huberdeau is open to waiving his NMC to go to a contender

[Lunatik]

He doesn't need to.

Everyone, except you, is perfectly aware that Huberdeau is unhappy in Calgary and is wiling to waive his NMC.

You should take up a career in writing, because clearly you enjoy making shit up. But don't quit your day job, because you aren't good at it.

 

[Shark Finn]

Is that site even credible?

 

[Figgy44]

The article is conjecture above all. May or may not happen.

I think Huby will have an excellent year on his new line with Pospisil and Mantha.

And the Flames won't have as bad a team as everyone thinks.

It's not even that IMO. This website is like conjecture and fanfic on top of speculation.

They take an obvious "Player might be willing to waive NMC if required." and "This is what you'd need to do to move Huberdeau" comment into "There's a flurry of trade rumors around Huberdeau!"

Huberdeau's been a consummate pro throughout his tenure here. I feel for the guy. He's trying and it sucks he has struggled. I view it as maybe some comment out there that Huberdeau is willing to do anything recommended by management. Whether that's what his role will be on the Flames (hopefully not more brute forcing him in diff position and style of play) or if it'll be a trade.

IMO Huberdeau is the new Skinner contract. However, unlike the Buffalo/Skinner situation, the cap isn't stagnant and expected to skyrocket and the Flames aren't stuck in a situation where Huberdeau's contract blocks the org's ability to acquire positional need. It's not ideal, but not it's horrific to the point that I think Huberdeau will need to be bought out. He will be fine if retained as a middle 6 option in a higher cap environment.

Is that site even credible?

IMO. Not at all.

Habs Interest in Patrik Laine Trade "Pretty Minimal" | NHL Trade Rumors

This is an article about Laine just 11 days prior to him being traded to the Canadiens.

To be honest, the body of the article isn't terrible. It's quoting a supposed insider on his opinion about Laine to Montreal. But title and the first and last paragraphs ends up twisting the legitimate content into something totally different.

 

[Rubi]

Who really cares that Huberdeau makes $10m a season? Its not like the Flames are cap strapped and need to find ways to cut salary costs. As it is, the Flames are barely above the minimum cap floor... no need to take a loss on dumping Huberdeau's contract. Whether the Flames are paying him $10m or a more reasonable $5m... it makes no difference to the Flames current situation.
So unless he can be traded for valuable draft picks and prospects, I just don't see the point in looking for a trade at all.

 

[pth2]

When will players realize not living up to their contracts makes them untradable?

 

[Lunatik]

When will players realize not living up to their contracts makes them untradable?

When fans read the articles are realize there is zero legitimacy to most rumors

 

[joestevens29]

I'd hope if he ever did get back to his 115 points that teams won't be fooled by his offense production and think he's the answer to their problems.

His perimeter play the last time he was in the playoffs isn't what contenders want to lock themselves into. Maybe an up and coming team, but even so that's a lot of money and term for a 31 year old guy even at 30% retained. Add his agent is Allan Walsh and is it really worth it?

 

[Hookslide]

You should take up a career in writing, because clearly you enjoy making shit up. But don't quit your day job, because you aren't good at it.

Can I ask Flames fans, has Huberdeau , just lost his game, or is attitude, does he play hard, or take shifts off just like to get understanding of what the fans see out him or don't see.

 

[nbwingsfan]

I will also waive my NMC (I don’t think I even have one) at my sales job for a contender.

In case anyone wants to make a thread about it

 

[Lunatik]

Can I ask Flames fans, has Huberdeau , just lost his game, or is attitude, does he play hard, or take shifts off just like to get understanding of what the fans see out him or don't see.

He was a poor fit. His effort and attitude aren't an issue, and you still see his skill. We lost the guys that he would have excelled playing with, I've always seen him as a guy who ideal 2 linemates are someone who drives play and someone who scores from the dirty areas, bot have to have smarts to read where he will pass it. I think Monahan and Tkachuk would have been great linemates for him (separately, not together). He started playing considerably better when paired with Sharangovich last year as Rango is smart, likes to carry the puck and is a good shooter.

 

[Figgy44]

Can I ask Flames fans, has Huberdeau , just lost his game, or is attitude, does he play hard, or take shifts off just like to get understanding of what the fans see out him or don't see.

He's being a consummate pro. He's not mailing it in during games and playing hard.

But you can tell a little by his body language he's snake bitten, frustrated and kinda gripping his stick tightly. I know he works well with shoot first players so I'm glad he's starting to click with Sharangovich. He'd make great plays but no one close to position to capitalize on them.

Oddly, Huberdeau would have done well with a ton of former flames like monahan, Tkachuk, JG (RIP), Toffoli... We know he played well with Bennett. I don't recall why he didn't do great with Kadri, Backlund and Lindholm though.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

The only chance Huberdeau has of getting traded is with double retention. And I can't see any scenario Calgary remotely entertains that. They don't have any salary they need to commit to right now.

Which means, either get comfy Jon or terminate your contract cause you ain't leaving Calgary for a loooooong time.

 

[Rcknrollkillnmachine]

I remember hearing on a podcast that his signing and later extension were masterstrokes and that Treliving was a genius. Little did anyone know.

 

[MoneyManny]

No team is going to retain a significant amount of his salary for 7 years, this ain't happening.

 

[HighLifeManIsHigh]

Can I ask Flames fans, has Huberdeau , just lost his game, or is attitude, does he play hard, or take shifts off just like to get understanding of what the fans see out him or don't see.

He’s been a great pro since day one. Even after the two shit seasons.

He plays an east/west game in a north/south system. Bad fit both ways. He still has the skill, just doesn’t fit the system

 

[HabsQC]

Huberdeau for Nurse ?

 

[nbwingsfan]

Huberdeau for Nurse ?

As bad as Nurse is, he’s probably still their 3rd of 4th best D.

I’m not even sure where Huberdeau would fit in.

Absolutely no way they can have like $40M tied into 3 forwards

 

[Petes2424]

We’ve seen a lot of “how did they trade him” deals in the past, and when we look back, it’s really not as bad as we may have thought at the time.

Remember Clarkson’s contract? Just a few months ago Washington must’ve been at a “Front Office Retreat” to the Red Light District, when they acquired Pierre Luc Dubois, and crazy enough, there will probably be another Manager out there, who’s still thinking mmmmhe’s gonna fix him, after the Caps send him packing again.

I’d take my chance with Huberdeau (for 2 Cup runs) way before I’d take my chance with Dubois these days, and I’ve gone through all the stages with PLD. Even last summer, I thought he could put a team (or two) over whatever “top” they were trying to get over. Now, I’m at the don’t insult my intelligence if you were another manager calling me about him.

So things change.

As for Huberdeau, it’s going to have to be a very unique trade.

Probably from an organization who’s somewhat desperate, who probably only has a very short window, and is hoping for a great run, “on the cheap.” Who when it comes to giving up assets, doesn’t have the assets to be spending a ton of prospects and picks on more desirable players. Where they know in a couple of years their salary structure is gonna start declining rapidly. Thinking if they get 2 great years out of him, they win the trade, and will deal with any fallout then. Maybe they just keep him and have him help mentor their rebuild. The important years will be the 2?

Not to mention, it’ll be a manager who thinks he outsmarts everyone else. With a major ego..

Enter the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas.

Huberdeau is gonna end up going to a team like the Pens after this season (or maybe even at the deadline) along with a player like Pospisil, or maybe even Sharangovich, and Calgary will retain about $1.5 million….

Dubas will sell this to Pittsburgh’s media and fans, with Malkin leaving after the year. Pointing towards getting a good player included from Calgary, and not having to spend anything other than the money… On how his “New Super Duper Analytics Program” he had built around the Penguins lineup, shows Huberdeau was a perfect fit!!

He’s gonna end up Trading Malkin’s future LTIR contract and Graves, retaining $1 million on Graves. Moving out $10 million and bringing in $10 million or just over $12 million if it’s Sharangovich.

Calgary brings in a serviceable Dman at $3.4 million, who they can play with their younger players, as they’re probably moving Andersson at this deadline or around the draft. They’ll see how that goes, and when it stops being a good thing, buy him out, if they cant trade him.

Calgary makes the move to open up a big salary slot, years sooner than they ever hoped, without having to buy Huberdeau out, and they start building around their younger players. Yes, it costs them a good player, but life goes on.

Pittsburgh tries to put together one last group of players to make a final run with Sid. If Huberdeau is ever gonna recover his game, it would be playing on Sid’s wing.

That’s the type of deal we could see. Calgary fans are gonna hate it on the surface, giving up a nice player, but it’ll free up big money, and the Huberdeau saga will finally be behind them.

Any player can be traded.

 

[SoupNazi]

We’ve seen a lot of “how did they trade him” deals in the past, and when we look back, it’s really not as bad as we may have thought at the time.

Remember Clarkson’s contract? Just a few months ago Washington must’ve been at a “Front Office Retreat” to the Red Light District, when they acquired Pierre Luc Dubois, and crazy enough, there will probably be another Manager out there, who’s still thinking mmmmhe’s gonna fix him, after the Caps send him packing again.

I’d take my chance with Huberdeau (for 2 Cup runs) way before I’d take my chance with Dubois these days, and I’ve gone through all the stages with PLD. Even last summer, I thought he could put a team (or two) over whatever “top” they were trying to get over. Now, I’m at the don’t insult my intelligence if you were another manager calling me about him.

So things change.

As for Huberdeau, it’s going to have to be a very unique trade.

Probably from an organization who’s somewhat desperate, who probably only has a very short window, and is hoping for a great run, “on the cheap.” Who when it comes to giving up assets, doesn’t have the assets to be spending a ton of prospects and picks on more desirable players. Where they know in a couple of years their salary structure is gonna start declining rapidly. Thinking if they get 2 great years out of him, they win the trade, and will deal with any fallout then. Maybe they just keep him and have him help mentor their rebuild. The important years will be the 2?

Not to mention, it’ll be a manager who thinks he outsmarts everyone else. With a major ego..

Enter the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas.

Huberdeau is gonna end up going to a team like the Pens after this season (or maybe even at the deadline) along with a player like Pospisil, or maybe even Sharangovich, and Calgary will retain about $1.5 million….

Dubas will sell this to Pittsburgh’s media and fans, with Malkin leaving after the year. Pointing towards getting a good player included from Calgary, and not having to spend anything other than the money… On how his “New Super Duper Analytics Program” he had built around the Penguins lineup, shows Huberdeau was a perfect fit!!

He’s gonna end up Trading Malkin’s future LTIR contract and Graves, retaining $1 million on Graves. Moving out $10 million and bringing in $10 million or just over $12 million if it’s Sharangovich.

Calgary brings in a serviceable Dman at $3.4 million, who they can play with their younger players, as they’re probably moving Andersson at this deadline or around the draft. They’ll see how that goes, and when it stops being a good thing, buy him out, if they cant trade him.

Calgary makes the move to open up a big salary slot, years sooner than they ever hoped, without having to buy Huberdeau out, and they start building around their younger players. Yes, it costs them a good player, but life goes on.

Pittsburgh tries to put together one last group of players to make a final run with Sid. If Huberdeau is ever gonna recover his game, it would be playing on Sid’s wing.

That’s the type of deal we could see. Calgary fans are gonna hate it on the surface, giving up a nice player, but it’ll free up big money, and the Huberdeau saga will finally be behind them.

Any player can be traded.

Great analysis, Pete. Your posts are always some of the best on this forum.

 

[Hookslide]

He was a poor fit. His effort and attitude aren't an issue, and you still see his skill. We lost the guys that he would have excelled playing with, I've always seen him as a guy who ideal 2 linemates are someone who drives play and someone who scores from the dirty areas, bot have to have smarts to read where he will pass it. I think Monahan and Tkachuk would have been great linemates for him (separately, not together). He started playing considerably better when paired with Sharangovich last year as Rango is smart, likes to carry the puck and is a good shooter.

thank you

He's being a consummate pro. He's not mailing it in during games and playing hard.

But you can tell a little by his body language he's snake bitten, frustrated and kinda gripping his stick tightly. I know he works well with shoot first players so I'm glad he's starting to click with Sharangovich. He'd make great plays but no one close to position to capitalize on them.

Oddly, Huberdeau would have done well with a ton of former flames like monahan, Tkachuk, JG (RIP), Toffoli... We know he played well with Bennett. I don't recall why he didn't do great with Kadri, Backlund and Lindholm though.

thank you

He’s been a great pro since day one. Even after the two shit seasons.

He plays an east/west game in a north/south system. Bad fit both ways. He still has the skill, just doesn’t fit the system

thank you

 

[Reddawg]

That contract is the NMC all by itself

 

[Figgy44]

The only chance Huberdeau has of getting traded is with double retention. And I can't see any scenario Calgary remotely entertains that. They don't have any salary they need to commit to right now.

Which means, either get comfy Jon or terminate your contract cause you ain't leaving Calgary for a loooooong time.

The only way to move Huberdeau is if the receiving team gets him at around $3MM AAV?

Are you serious? Or is your hyperbole control way out of whack?

I remember hearing on a podcast that his signing and later extension were masterstrokes and that Treliving was a genius. Little did anyone know.

Wherever that podcast was, it probably wasn't near Calgary. Lots of people wondered why they'd extend Huberdeau with a year left on his contract without playing a single game for us. Many Flames fans did identify that we'd get a kings ransom for both Weegar and Huberdeau if we traded them as rentals. The extensions meant that it was still ownership's mandate to compete, which kinda frustrated many of us with how much uncertainty there was around the team at the time and rumors more players wanted out.

Maybe the extension was a last ditch attempt at trying to slow the exodus (didn't happen. look at the turnover on our roster from then to now).

 

[Fatass]

He’s been a great pro since day one. Even after the two shit seasons.

He plays an east/west game in a north/south system. Bad fit both ways. He still has the skill, just doesn’t fit the system

Huberdough plays east west in a north south league.

 

[Gabrielor]

He's probably still a PPG player on a decent team. A younger team looking to contend in the near future (Buffalo?) with space would probably offer more than junk.

Zero interest from Buffalo.

We removed a guy in 2021 who signed a long term commitment only to want out 2 years in.

I have no issue with guys trying to get that generational wealth, but don't sign long term to get that, and then want out to a contender.

 

[Figgy44]

Zero interest from Buffalo.

We removed a guy in 2021 who signed a long term commitment only to want out 2 years in.

I have no issue with guys trying to get that generational wealth, but don't sign long term to get that, and then want out to a contender.

If Gibson truly wants out, I wondered if a basis of Huberdeau + Vladar for Gibson would work. Ducks probably say no and I suspect Gibson would rather stay with the Ducks than go to Calgary. But Huberdeau across from Terry and/or Zegras might be its own form of special form of entertainment and I think those guys together could rack up a stupid amount of ridiculous highlight reels together.

But honestly speaking, I feel like there's a severe amount of issues relating to the fundamentals of a trade idea like that.