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Flames Wrap-Up: Trade Talk, Huberdeau, Kadri and the Slump

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Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames

There seems to be a lot of excitement around the Calgary Flames. Just not the positive feel-good stories most expected after a 5-1 start turned into a 5-4-1 record.

If you’ve been living under a rock, just woke up from a coma, or took a break from reading about hockey this week, we’ve got you covered.

Every Sunday, Calgary Hockey Now will attempt to recap the most interesting and relevant news stories you may have missed throughout the week.

The Calgary Flames Funny Bone

  • Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau has had a less stellar start than most expected. But when he disappeared from the bench in the first period last weekend, people were concerned. The affable winger returned for the second period and head coach Darryl Sutter wasn’t shy about addressing the absence. He caught reporters off guard with his straight-faced delivery, too.

Monday

  • In part to find a spark for Huberdeau, Sutter shuffled the lines on Monday. The Calgary Flames were 5-2 at that point, but their play wasn’t up to par overall. Sutter moved Huberdeau to a line with Nazem Kadri and Andrew Mangiapane, but also elevated Milan Lucic to the second line.
  • The Flames talked about not taking the Seattle Kraken lightly.

Tuesday

  • The Kraken came ready to play. The Flames did not. Turnovers were bad and a third-period comeback by the Kraken was completed despite goals from Kadri, Tyler Toffoli, Trevor Lewis and Nikita Zadorov.

Wednesday

  • Sutter decided to stick with his new Flames lines despite the unfortunate ending to their first attempt. The coach also noted that Huberdeau had to “speed his game up.”
  • Jonathan Huberdeau heard the, er, constructive criticism from coach Sutter and responded with an honest assessment of his game so far. He’s heavily motivated to improve. “You guys haven’t seen anything yet,” were Huberdeau’s words. People are still waiting, but some patience is prudent here.

Thursday

  • The Calgary Flames’ new second-line winger had people talking contract extension. Milan Lucic seems to find his name in NHL trade or contract talk fairly frequently.
  • Things did not go well in the game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. And Flames fans let them know it during the 4-1 loss — their third straight on home ice.

Friday

  • Typically not an alarmist, Sutter admitted the play of his team is “concerning” and said his defence lacked “courage.” Players Blake Coleman and Elias Lindholm both said the loss was “unacceptable.”

Saturday

  • Sutter re-united his old lines but put the onus on his wingers to step up their play.
  • Coleman talked fondly of getting away from the Saddledome and hitting the road for their first out-of-province experience. But they still had to focus on the New Jersey Devils first.
  • Think the Flames miss injured defenceman Chris Tanev? His replacement was exposed and the Calgary Flames really shortened the bench during Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Devils.