Jonathan Huberdeau and Darryl Sutter Clashing In Calgary

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S. Harper
December 27, 2022 (12:53)

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The hockey world was stunned this summer when the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers completed one of the biggest trades in recent years. Sending Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange of Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar along with a prospect and pick.

At first Huberdeau didn't seem happy with the move. One because he was in contract extension negotiations with the Panthers and two, didn't appear to like going to Calgary causing rumors that Huberdeau would get traded by the Flames.

Huberdeau appeared to have a change of heart and signed the biggest deal in Flames history. So far in Florida Tkachuk has enjoyed a highly productive season, Huberdea unfortunately has been the exact opposite.

Huberdeau is having one of his worse season's of his career having only 6 goals, and 18 assists in 32 games. However some believe Huberdeau's drop in offensive production is because of the coaching style of Flames Head Coach Darryl Sutter.

With the frustration boiling over in Calgary, Sutter and Huberdeau have seen to take shots at each other. After the Flames recent loss to the LA Kings, Sutter called out Huberdeau for passing the puck on a key offensive opportunity rather than shooting.

"The only thing you'd want back is to be able to shoot in overtime," he said. They're leading scorer, he shot it into the net.

Huberdeau defended his reputation as a pass-first forward replying to Sutter's comments saying:

"I think you noticed that. I have to take the shot. It's always been like that," he said. "I have to shoot. Obviously, I'm trying to make a pass for an empty net for the other guy, but I have to keep the game simple and shoot for the goal."