Flames ‘hopeful’ Jonathan Huberdeau could play on upcoming road trip

The Calgary Flames have played three games over the first seven days of the 2025-26 National Hockey League season, and they’ve gone 1-2-0 without a pair of pretty important pieces of their lineup.

Absent from the first three games were forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Martin Pospisil.

After Monday’s practice, Flames head coach Ryan Huska was asked for updates on the two players.

“Huby skated this morning. He’s looking good and I’m very hopeful that we’ll see him on our trip. Pospisil has not skated yet.”

Both players were injured in last Wednesday’s pre-season game against Vancouver – y’know, the 8-1 loss. Pospisil left the game after being injured in a post-whistle scrum midway through the second period. Huberdeau was injured in an ugly collision when he crashed into Canucks netminder Kevin Lankinen while driving to the net late in the third period. The precise nature of each player’s injuries have not been disclosed by the club.

Neither player played in the pre-season finale last Friday against Winnipeg. Per reports, Pospisil made an appearance at last Monday’s practice, but has otherwise not been seen on the ice with the main group. Huberdeau hasn’t practised with the team at all.

Huberdeau, 32, seemed to recapture his swagger in 2024-25, playing in every game situation for the Flames and posting 28 goals and 62 points. He’s one of the best passers on the team, something that’s made him very useful on the club’s power play. Pospisil, 25, is the team’s primary agitator, and one of the most hated Flames by other fanbases for that reason. He posted 4 goals and 25 points in 2024-25 as he played on virtually every forward line.

With Huberdeau and Pospisil both on the injury reserve list currently, the Flames are at a full compliment of 23 players. So when either player is ready for game action, they’ll need to send someone – probably a waiver-exempt forward like Sam Honzek or Matvei Gridin – to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers to create a roster spot for them.

The Flames host Vegas on Tuesday night at home before hitting the road for games against Utah (on Wednesday) and Vegas (on Saturday).