[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by 1991 Canadian

I like Huberdeau. I don’t get the sense he’s given up. He seems to have a good attitude about the situation. But I can’t think of any NHL player, let alone Flames player that has had such a quick positive to negative value change.

The Flames have ended up with lots of poor value contracts over the years, but they are usually UFAs who never had positive trade value (and as UFAs they aren’t meant to). Huberdeau is unique as it feels like a UFA signing, but until they decided to extend him, he had a ton of trade value.

2022 offseason. Flames acquire a 115 point Huberdeau with one year left at $5.9 million. Even Feaster would have been able to trade for an unprotected first and a B level prospect. Maybe more. Trade deadline, even with the 50 point season, still likely would have gotten a late 1st.

But with his current contract, it would take at least two 1st round picks to get it off the books. Given the Flames have the leagues most cap space, it’s not currently a problem. And by the time it does matter, they’ll be able to do a compliance buyout, LTIRetire, etc, but the trade value is gone.

I’m already fairly bullish on how quickly Conroy has been able to restock the Flames picks and prospects, but the alternate reality where the Flames flip Huberdeau is an interesting one. He signed the extension within 2 weeks of the trade. I’d be really curious what kind of offers Treliving could have gotten for Huberdeau if he didn’t have the compete at all costs marching order.

Two first round picks to get someone to take 7 years and $73.5MM of an unproductive player who will decline further? It would cost more than 5 first round picks. Especially since he cannot be bought out. Monny cost 1 first round pick.