‘Negativity sucks the joy right out of players’: Jonathan Huberdeau’s agent calls out Calgary Flames
Things appear to be reaching a boiling point between Jonathan Huberdeau’s camp and the Calgary Flames.
Late Thursday night, Allan Walsh — who represents Huberdeau and 28 other NHL clients with Octagon Hockey — took clear aim at the Flames organization in a post on Twitter.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result,” Walsh tweeted. “Also, negativity sucks the joy right out of players.”
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Also, negativity sucks the joy right out of players. cc: @NHLFlames
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) February 17, 2023Walsh tagged the Flames’ official Twitter account in the message, which he posted shortly after Calgary fell to the Detroit Red Wings by a 5–2 score at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Huberdeau has had a rocky start to his Flames tenure under head coach Darryl Sutter, scoring just 36 points in 52 games while averaging 16:55 per night — a full 2:30 less than last year in Florida. He’s logged less than 15 minutes in a game three times since Jan. 1.
Walsh’s tweet isn’t exactly the most subtle jab at the Flames’ off-ice leadership, whether that be Sutter or general manager Brad Treliving. Both have to be feeling the heat as the Flames continue to stumble along with the trade deadline approaching.
While Treliving doesn’t have a contract beyond this season, both Sutter and Huberdeau signed extensions with the team over the summer. Of course, Huberdeau’s eight-year, $10.5 million AAV deal carries a little bit more weight.
The Flames currently sit on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture with a 25–19–11 record and 61 points through 55 games. Having lost four of their last five games, the Flames will return to action on Saturday night to play host to the New York Rangers.