How the Jonathan Huberdeau Contract Changes Calgary's Chances
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The Calgary Flames and Jonathan Huberdeau agreed to an eight-year extension on Thursday night.
This deal, which kicks in for the 2023-24 season, will play the winger $10.5 million AAV over the next eight seasons. How does this change your NHL betting strategy?
What Does This Mean For The Calgary Flames?
For Huberdeau and the Calgary Flames, this is the best-case scenario after Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk left. The Flames still have a solid core. A top line of Huberdeau with Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli could be formidable.
As for Canadian Sports Bettors, Stanley Cup futures show the Flames still in the Top 10. They rank ninth at 19.50. Could that number move? Here is why.
The Flames possess $2.76 million in cap space with three roster spots. Two Canadian teams are ahead of Calgary in odds. Toronto is the second favorite at 9.00 (8.98 currently). The Maple Leafs and the postseason have not mixed in some time.
Then, there is the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton still plans to ride a goaltending duo that involves Mike Smith and newly signed Jack Cambell. The Oilers come in at 16.00, which ranks seventh among all NHL teams.
Odds-wise, the room is there for Calgary to move, err, see their numbers shorten. Ontario sports wagerers know that Calgary possesses the best defense and goaltending among all Canadian NHL franchises.
A Hungry And Motivated Calgary Flames Team
This is why Calgary could have value. MacKenzie Weegar will likely stay a Flame. It boils down to an eventual deal. The Flames have a chip on their shoulders.
With the NHL wilderness nearing, the Flames still have a little ways to go. However, Calgary may be more cohesive now than when Gaudreau and Tkachuk were in this lineup.
That may not show in the regular season numbers, but it could in the playoffs. Ultimately, this might allow Calgary to rise from the ashes of what looked to be an impossible situation. Again, bettors may want to wait until closer to the season and hope for a possible lengthening in the numbers.
This team lost to the Edmonton Oilers because they could not adapt to the middle of their team defense. That torpedoed Jakob Markstrom and the goals were just coming.
A better cohesive squad could lead to the ability to defeat teams like Edmonton, Los Angeles, and Vegas at the minimum. If their futures’ number goes beyond 20, Calgary is worth a wager.
Calgary is not a 111-point team in 2022-23. Could they come close to 100 points? The Flames have the potential to be better suited for a deeper playoff run than last season.
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