Jonathan Huberdeau will not be ready when the Calgary Flames open the 2026-27 regular season on Oct. 1.
That update came Thursday morning as Flames general manager Craig Conroy spoke to the media at the team’s annual charity golf tournament, according to QR Calgary’s Pat Steinberg. It matches the tone Conroy has been striking lately, one that made clear the team is not planning to hurry Huberdeau back.
Huberdeau, the highest-paid player in Flames franchise history and the owner of the largest contract in team history, was shut down before the Olympics in February because of a lingering hip issue. He had hip resurfacing surgery the following month.
For a while, there was at least some optimism that he could be ready by the start of the season. But recent comments from Conroy suggested otherwise, and Thursday’s update confirmed the obvious: the Flames will have to begin the year without him.
The caution here makes sense. Conroy has repeatedly signaled that Huberdeau’s return will be handled on his timeline, not the calendar’s. Given that Huberdeau had been dealing with the problem for at least the last year, there was never much reason to push the pace.
There’s also the bigger picture. Calgary is rebuilding, which means there’s no standings chase demanding a rushed comeback. The organization can afford to be patient with a player who still matters a great deal, both on the ice and around the room.
The Flames’ prospects camp opens this weekend, veterans report next week, and the regular season begins at home against Seattle on Oct. 1.
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Flames Suddenly Face A Bigger Jonathan Huberdeau Concern Than Expected
Jonathan Huberdeaus offseason recovery has taken on more weight than the Flames likely expected when he underwent hip resurfacing surgery in the spring. General manager Craig Conroy said the veteran forward will open training camp on his own before eventually working back into team skates, a sign that Calgary is still managing the aftermath of the procedure that ended Huberdeaus previous season early.
The bigger concern is not just that Huberdeau is still rehabbing, but that his timeline is still being assessed as the club turns the page toward 2026-27. Calgary can live with a gradual ramp-up if it stays on schedule, but the uncertainty around his return adds another layer to a season already shaped by how quickly he can get back to full participation. [Read more 🡒]