CALGARY — Coming off the ashes of an 8-3 defeat and their last eight road losses, the Calgary Flames are witnessing a rise these parts haven’t seen in years.
“We’ve had it for a while, if you want to call it that,” coach Ryan Huska said when asked about the performance and chemistry of Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazeem Kadri and Martin over the past six games. There’s no front line anymore,” Pospisil.
“So, if we can get them to continue to contribute, like I feel like they’ve done the last few games, that’s a great thing for us.
“It really means a lot.”
The last time a Flames coach was able to field a legitimate top line was four seasons ago, when Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm led the league.
Since then, the organization has been unable to find a consistent leading trio, which has a lot to do with Huberdeau’s well-documented struggle to find his past form.
When the Panthers star arrived as part of the Tkachuk trade, Daryl Sutter determined his first priority was to determine whether the $10.5 million player was a better fit for Lindholm or Kadri.
He quickly determined that neither approach would work, and Huberdeau embarked on a long journey to redefine his game.
His focus on becoming a 200-foot player has made him a more useful, well-rounded winger, prompting Huska to reunite the two late in a win in Pittsburgh two weeks ago.
The pair were quick to set up each other’s late goals, earning them a couple of encores, with Pospisil playing an effective supporting role.
On paper, this makes sense because Huberdeau is a passer, Kadri is a shooter and Pospisil is a board-rushing speedster, creating space for others to operate.
That seems to be working, as Huberdeau has scored in three straight games in six straight games (4-4), while Kadri has scored three points and added three more in that stretch.
Huberdeau smiled when asked about the reunion with Kadri.
“I mean, I think I’ve tried it with everybody,” he said with a laugh.
“So, I had to go back to the first one. I came full circle.”
What changed was Huberdeau’s approach to the game, which came after a meeting with Huska over the summer in which the former 115-point winger understood he had to take a different approach with the Panthers. A completely different approach to run and gun style.
“I haven’t pointed out a player to him (to model his game) yet, but we have certainly spoken to him about these things,” said Huska, whose club hosts Huberdeau’s former club on Saturday.
“The last few years haven’t been easy for him. He’s a very proud guy who says, ‘Well, if I don’t score, I’m going to do other things to help the team win.’ “
“I feel like he’s made himself a better overall player after going through some tougher times for him. Now he’s getting some traction again offensively, which is exciting for us. Excited.”
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During the meeting with Huska, Huberdeau asked for more ice time, believing his new penalty-killer role would allow him to be more involved, so he was granted it.
“I feel like early in the game I’ve been playing a lot and I think that’s allowed me to settle into the game and get into a rhythm,” he said.
“I think I’ve learned more on defense than I ever have since I’ve been here. Husker believes I’m going to get out there eventually.
“I think I’m in a better position when I’m playing good defense, so I’m always under the puck. That’s what I’ve learned, I have to be good every play to be successful.
“The overall game is better. I’m not really worried about points, it’s more about playing a complete game and that’s what I’ve been doing lately, so keep that going.”
There’s still a degree of risk associated with his game, which was on display Thursday when the playmaker was stripped by Nikita Kucherov at Tampa’s blue line, setting the stage for the The Lightning star earned a six-point night as he deftly seized on breakout opportunities.
His club leads the league with 11 goals and 21 points in 30 games, but remains woefully lacking offensively, ranking 27th in the league in goals scored.
They still need more from him offensively, but his efforts to score better and play tougher on both ends of the floor are evident.
“He competes everywhere on the ice — away from the puck, with the puck — and he wants to make a difference every night,” general manager Craig Conroy said of Huberdeau’s new 200 ft. method.
“He’s still a point guard and can make plays, but away from the puck, he scores in the shootout and that’s where he really gets involved.
“We’re going to have a low-scoring game and his work ethic, getting in and out, I’m really happy with him.”
NOTES: The Flames recalled Wranglers goaltender Devin Cooley on an emergency basis Friday because Dan Vladar is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Cooley practiced with the Flames on Friday and leads the AHL with a 1.80 GAA and .942 save percentage.
