Jonathan Huberdeau Suffers Brutal Setback in Hip Surgery Recovery

The worst contract in the NHL just got a little heavier. According to Daily Faceoff, Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau has suffered a setback in his recovery from hip resurfacing surgery, throwing his availability for the upcoming season into serious doubt.

A setback is the absolute last thing you want to hear when a player is trying to return from a procedure that sounds like it belongs in an auto body shop. Hip resurfacing involves dislocating the joint, shaving down the bone, and capping it with titanium.

"Daily Faceoff reported the setback on Wednesday."

This is not a routine cleanup scope. Washington Capitals legend Nicklas Backstrom attempted to return from the exact same surgery, managed to grind out 47 games, and then had to step away from hockey entirely.

For the Flames, the financial reality is grim. Huberdeau is only three seasons into an eight-year, $84 million contract that carries a $10.5 million annual cap hit. That is a massive chunk of change for a guy who recorded just 10 goals and 25 points in 50 games last season before getting shut down in March.

The narrative arc here is brutal. Calgary acquired Huberdeau in the 2022 blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Tkachuk to Florida. Since then, the Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups, while the Flames have missed the playoffs four straight years and watched Huberdeau set records for the biggest point drop-off in league history.

Back in June, Flames general manager Craig Conroy told reporters that Huberdeau was skating and completely pain-free. That summer optimism has officially expired right as training camp approaches, leaving a massive hole in the top six.

Anyone looking at Calgary's futures or season point totals needs to adjust their math immediately. You cannot lose your highest-paid player to a titanium-joint setback and expect the lineup to just click into place.

The Flames now have to navigate the start of the 2026-27 season with their $10.5 million man on the shelf. Until the team provides a concrete recovery timeline, expect Calgary to lean heavily on their younger forwards while Huberdeau tries to get his body to cooperate.