WAKE-UP CALL: Calgary Flames Should DROP Jonathan Huberdeau Before 2028, Buyout Benefits DISCUSSED

WAKE-UP CALL: Calgary Flames Should DROP Jonathan Huberdeau Before 2028, Buyout Benefits DISCUSSED

May 27, 2026



Calgary Flames face tough decisions with Jonathan Huberdeau’s massive contract. Could a pre-2028 buyout be their smartest financial move? We break down Huberdeau’s future in Calgary, examining buyout options, salary cap implications, and how roster flexibility could set the Flames up for long-term success during their rebuild.

Key insights include potential draft strategies, the pursuit of generational talents like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, and emerging trade rumors involving Connor Zary and assets such as Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin. Get expert analysis on Craig Conroy’s impact as general manager, pivotal trades, and the team’s evolving youth-first philosophy. Will Calgary leverage their draft capital to climb the NHL Entry Draft? Are the Flames truly rebuilding for lasting change, or is a playoff push still on the horizon?

Timestamps
00:00 — Huberdeau Buyout Debate
11:22 — Draft Strategy & Trade Up
23:29 — This week in Calgary Flames History

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View Comments (11)

  2. Until cap space is a factor, Hubes is still worth a certain amount per year. If his worth is $4 MM then he's only overpaid by $6.5MM and the flames will still get some mileage out of him. To buy him out will cost more for the flames. Like a bad drive off the tee, we lose stroke and distance to buy him out (with the exception of the balance after his signing bonus). If the cap space is tight then this scenario could change if the Flames can make the playoffs.

  4. Huberdeau's contract is buyout proof. If we buy him out this year we save $200k this year and next. In 28-29 we save $2.7 mjil. In 29-30 we save $200k. In his last year we save $4.7 mil. So the salary savings/cap hit is minimal until his last year. Buying him out makes no sense, You would have to pay him nearly his entire salary not to play.

    Hopefully he will retire before his contract is up.

  5. I think we should take the chance and try trade up to second. If Toronto decide on somebody else, we get McKenna, if not, we get Stenberg, win/win if you ask me

  6. When you need the cap space then you can look to buy him out. In the meantime if he rebounds and gets 25 goals and 50 assists which isn't even really a rebound it would be coming back to his mean. Then he would still be overpaid but not by enough to warrant a buyout.

  7. I don't mean to be cruel here but I replayed it 10 times to be sure I heard you say it but you said the one advantage to trading Huberdeau would be to add another draft pick to Calgary's picks. You do realize you would not be getting a draft pick but giving out 1 or 2 first round picks to unload him. I really need to start my own channel because I know more than the people I'm watching.

  8. So you think we should pay a play what 5 mil a yrs not to play with us and then he signs with another team how foolish he is coming back lets see how he does after operation . Who do you think would grab him at 32 when we are working so hard to move him don't you think the teams have the same thoughts way to old why risk it. Thanks BT. Stick with 6th we will get a player Viggo and move on.Maybe next yr NHL won't rip us off unless Oilslicks end up bottom 10 the they will get another 1st overall proving that the NHL draft is rigged.

  10. Huby seems to be a positive presence in the dressing room. I think one just needs to bite the bullet and accept we have him for his contract.

    I would try to send some players, prospects, and picks to TO and SJ.

Comments are closed.