Jonathan Huberdeau to miss start of Calgary Flames season

Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau will miss the start of the 2026-27 season as he continues to recover from hip resurfacing surgery performed in the spring. General manager Craig Conroy confirmed that Huberdeau will begin training camp working independently and will only be reintegrated into team skates once he is fully prepared.

Huberdeau, 33, has been working on his recovery through individual skating and off-ice training. Conroy noted that the recovery process could take between seven and nine months, citing similar timelines for other players. The team is prioritizing Huberdeau’s long-term health to ensure he can return to the high-intensity physical demands of the NHL.

In Huberdeau’s absence, the Flames are expected to provide increased opportunities to other players. Rookie Matvei Gridin, who has shown promise, is expected to remain in a prominent role, alongside potential extra minutes for players such as Yegor Sharangovich and Joel Farabee. The team also views this as an opportunity for prospects like Rory Kerins to vie for NHL minutes during the preseason.