The Calgary Flames asked Jonathan Huberdeau to add to his game over the offseason, which meant accepting a new role and training differently. He's embraced it.
Jonathan Huberdeau’s early 2024-25 production has been a driving force behind the Calgary Flames’ strong 3-0 start. Part of why he's seen some early personal success has been attributed to an offseason shift in his focus.
After a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, Huberdeau had a heart-to-heart with Flames' GM Craig Conroy. Conroy recently appeared on the Fan Hockey Show and talked about the plan both sides put in place to see the forward come back and be a bigger, more effective part of the team's success.
According to Conroy, they wanted Huberdeau to be involved in more aspects of the game. That meant getting faster and training differently. Conroy said Huberdeau dedicated himself to a new regimen over the summer, working closely with the Flames’ strength coach to improve his quickness and endurance. “He went home and really put the work in,” Conroy explained.
The results are evident, as Huberdeau has already notched three goals and two assists in the first three games, looking much closer to the player the Flames hoped for when they acquired him.
The Flames Want Huberdeau on the Penalty Kill
One of the significant changes has been Huberdeau’s focus on a 200-foot game, particularly in defensive areas like penalty killing. Conroy mentioned that last season, when Huberdeau wasn’t killing penalties, it often took him out of the game mentally, impacting his overall play. The Flames wanted to avoid that this year.
To Huberdeau’s credit, he's embraced the challenge. It required he be more physical and defensively aware, winning puck battles and playing in tougher areas. He may never be a hitting machine, but he hasn't shied away.
If Huberdeau can maintain this level of play, it could be a turning point for both him and the Flames. It's early, but he's on pace to be one of the positive storylines of the season.