Of course the Flames would make that move without even thinking about it. Shorter contract, less AAV, and Gaudreau has 'worked' in Calgary for a number of years. Huberdeau hasn't fit-in yet.
Worst case scenario is Gaudreau regressed, or doesn't fit well any longer. That's still 2 less years and less AAV. Plus it isn't huge signing bonuses. If you hated him that much, you make the trade and buy him out (though that would probably be stupid - you would at least want to see how things worked out).
I will say this as well - I can not stand Huberdeau's fit on this team. He is turning pucks over and releasing any pressure or momentum that this team manages to build. He is not only NOT the best playmaker in Flames' history, but he is also one of the worst playmakers on the team right now. He is not connecting on any passes, and is continuously making unforced errors. He is reminding me a lot of Shantz back in the day.
With that being said, I also do think that a lot of his (currently terrible) game is just mental, and I do expect a bounce back to near a PPG for a few seasons at least. I would never guess it by watching him play, but I do expect a bounce-back just because of his consistent offensively gifted stat-lines. He didn't experience a significant injury. He didn't just suddenly age at the age of 29. I expect a bounce-back simply because there is not underlying rationale as to why he should continue to be this bad, other than it just being a confidence issue right now.
Even though I assume he is going to rebound, I make that trade without zero hesitation. It would be ridiculous not to IMO. Even if he has a huge bounce-back, you are still on the hook for those last 3-4 years of low production, and I would rather eliminate as many of those as possible.
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