Markstrom's Return & Huberdeau's Horrible Contract
Plus, Vladar & Wolf are proving that goaltending isn't the Flames' biggest problem
Welcome to the THW Calgary Flames Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Flames writers.
In today’s edition, we have articles that look into the team’s goaltending, including how important Jacob Markstrom’s return is to the season’s success and how it isn’t the team’s netminders who are the problem. Plus, how glad are the Flames that Elias Lindholm turned down an extension offer and where does Jonathan Huberdeau’s contract rank among the league’s worst?
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Now, on to the good stuff…
Markstrom’s Return Could Be Key to Flames’ Playoff Push
December 18, 2023 by Ryan Gagne
On Dec. 5, 2023, the Calgary Flames watched their number goalie, Jacob Markstrom, break his finger in practice. As a wild card contender in the Western Conference, it was a significant blow to the playoff push since he’s been one of their most valuable players 31 games into the season. Whether people want to cheer him or boo him, there’s no denying without Markstrom, the Flames would be in a full-blown rebuild, struggling to get wins with young, unproven netminders in his place.
Even though some nights he doesn’t look like a $6 million goalie, while others he looks like a bargain, Markstrom is one of the main reasons the franchise has stayed in contention during his tenure, as evidenced by the team’s recent 2-3-2 record without him in 2023-24.
Flames Should Be Very Thankful Lindholm Turned Down Extension
December 14, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
After the 2022-23 season had wrapped up, Elias Lindholm expressed hesitancy when he was asked about the potential of signing an extension with the Calgary Flames. At the time, he had just one season remaining on his contract, which meant that he was able to sign an extension at any point if he felt like doing so.
Despite how hesitant he sounded at the time, there were reports heading into training camp that he had a change of heart and may have been willing to re-up with the Flames. The Flames themselves were interested, and are believed to have offered Lindholm a maximum eight-year deal with a cap hit of roughly $9 million. Despite what seemed to be a very generous offer, however, Lindholm turned it down, something the Flames should be feeling very grateful for.
Vladar & Wolf Prove Goaltending Is Not the Flames’ Biggest Issue
December 14, 2023 by Abigail Hubbard
With Jacob Markstrom out week-to-week with a fractured finger, the Calgary Flames will be depending on backup goaltenders Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf for the foreseeable future. While this could be a cause for concern, given Markstrom’s strong stats over the years, fans may not have to worry as much.
Goaltending isn’t going to be the Flames’ biggest weakness in the coming weeks (from ‘Too good to fail, too bad to win: The long and short story of the Calgary Flames’, Calgary Herald, Dec. 11, 2023). Although the Flames have only won one game since the 33-year-old’s last game, it’s clear that their problems go beyond who’s in between the pipes.
Flames: Ranking Huberdeau’s Contract Among the League’s Worst
December 13, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
Things are not going well for Jonathan Huberdeau. The 30-year-old’s production has fallen off of a cliff since he joined the Calgary Flames, which is troublesome for many reasons. One is the fact that he was supposed to be the big get in a trade that saw Matthew Tkachuk head to the Florida Panthers. Another, and the most serious of all, is the fact that these struggles began before his eight-year, $84 million contract kicked in.
Huberdeau’s first full season as a Flame was a disaster, as he managed just 15 goals and 55 points in 79 outings, a 60-point reduction from the season before. Any hope for a bounce back is almost gone, as the play-making winger has been even worse in 2023-24 with 15 points through 27 games. That puts him on pace for just 45 points over an 82-game schedule, which would mark his lowest point total since the 2016-17 season when he was limited to just 31 games due to injury.
With his $10.5 million cap hit, there is no question that Huberdeau’s contract is a flat-out disaster at this point. Here’s a look at his deal compared to some of the worst contracts across the NHL.