Jonathan Huberdeau had just returned from playing hockey with friends last Friday night. Around 11 p.m., his cell phone rang.
Posted yesterday at 2:04 p.m.
On display: Bill Zito, General Manager of the Florida Panthers. By this time, it was clear that his boss “wasn’t calling for nothing.”
The conversation was not long, but nevertheless left the Quebecer in shock. Zito informed him that he had just been traded to the Calgary Flames, along with defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, young forward Cole Schwindt and a first-round pick in return for Matthew Tkachuk.
In reality, the entire NHL was in shock on this hot summer evening. The transaction is undoubtedly the most spectacular in recent years. Never have two stars of the caliber of Huberdeau and Tkachuk changed sides simultaneously since the trade of P. K. Subban for Shea Weber in 2016.
For Huberdeau, the surprise was total. Zito and the Quebecer’s agent, Allan Walsh, had met in recent weeks and had left on the intention of the general manager to submit to the left winger a contract extension – he will become a free agent without compensation at the end of the next season.
But to be exchanged? ” I was not excpecting that at all ; it happened out of nowhere, “confirmed Huberdeau, Monday morning, during a videoconference organized by the Flames.
613 dots
The Panthers made Huberdeau their first-round pick, 3e in total, in 2011. He played the last 10 seasons at Sunrise and established himself as a scoring player not only for the franchise, but throughout the league. With 613 points in 671 games this season, the native of Saint-Jérôme is the best scorer in club history.
Over the past four seasons, Huberdeau is the fourth-highest scorer in the entire NHL (346 points), trailing only Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Patrick Kane. Last season, when the Panthers finished first overall in the NHL standings, Huberdeau became the left winger with the most assists in a season (85).
In this context, and when he and his family are now firmly rooted in South Florida, he does not hide that he finds it “sad” to see his plans change so quickly. However, he is now trying to take things philosophically. After the “shock”, “you have to get used to the idea”, he says. Being traded is “part of hockey”.
Nothing happens for nothing, I’ll just take the positive side.
Jonathan Huberdeau
The upside is joining a team that won the Pacific Division title last season and could do it again in 2022-23.
The Flames have certainly seen, one after the other, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, their two most explosive forwards. However, they continue to bet on a goalkeeper, Jacob Markström, who is one of the best in his profession; on an already solid defense and further improved with the addition of Weegar; and on an attack that still has a highly lethal arsenal. Center Elias Lindholm, in the shadow of his linemates, scored 42 goals last season in addition to being nominated for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the defensive forward par excellence of the year. “Maybe he’ll score 50 with me!” “, had fun Huberdeau.
Tyler Toffoli is still a threat around the net, Andrew Mangiapane has just scored 35 goals. Sean Monahan, after two frustrating seasons, hopes to regain his former momentum.
“It’s a very good team, they want to win, said the Quebecer again. They lost some guys, but [Weegar et moi], we want to help them take the next step. The obvious one to make a long way in the playoffs, after a frustrating second-round defeat against the Edmonton Oilers last spring.
As much for Weegar as for Huberdeau, it will be a first professional experience north of the border. Both products of the QMJHL, they have only known Florida since entering the NHL.
PHOTO LYNNE SLADKY, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
MacKenzie Weegar
“It’s really cool,” said Weegar, an Ottawa native. I never thought this would happen to me. In the playoffs, the sea of red jerseys in the arena is surreal. »
Calgary fans are passionate. Already, we feel welcome. I can’t wait to jump on the ice and play in front of them.
Jonathan Huberdeau
The two newcomers will be free as air at the end of the next season, unless they sign a long-term contract extension by then. Both said they were open to the idea of continuing their journey in Alberta for a long time. If synergology were an exact science, one would argue that Weegar seemed a little more enthusiastic about it than his colleague.
Huberdeau nevertheless insisted that he was not ruling out any possibility and that he was putting his destiny in the hands of his agent and general manager Brad Treliving.
“We’ve been here for 48 hours,” he said. We will see what will happen. But I’m open, that’s for sure. »