Jonathan Huberdeau’s $84 million contract with the Calgary Flames is now drawing sharp criticism, with one prominent NHL analyst recently labeling it the worst deal in the league. Once seen as one of the NHL’s most dynamic playmakers, Huberdeau’s dramatic decline in production has left Flames fans and front office personnel concerned—and analysts questioning the long-term implications of the contract.
Signed in 2022 after a blockbuster trade from the Florida Panthers, Huberdeau was expected to be a cornerstone for Calgary’s future. He was coming off a career-best 115-point season and brought high hopes for offensive leadership. But since joining the Flames, his performance has plummeted. In his first season with Calgary, he registered just 55 points—a steep drop that raised immediate red flags. The 2024-25 season hasn’t been much better, with continued inconsistency and limited impact in critical situations.
The contract—an eight-year, $84 million deal that carries a $10.5 million annual cap hit—now looms large over the franchise. It ties up a significant portion of Calgary’s salary cap, making roster flexibility difficult as the team looks to rebuild or retool. The analyst’s harsh assessment reflects growing sentiment around the league that the deal is a cautionary tale about paying for past performance rather than future value.
While there’s still time for Huberdeau to turn things around, the Flames’ investment is starting to look like a major miscalculation. Calgary is faced with the reality that a once-elite winger may no longer be the player they banked on. Unless there’s a resurgence soon, Huberdeau’s contract will likely remain a symbol of what can go wrong when expectations and reality fall painfully out of
sync.
