The Calgary Flames forward has a 4-point game

Since arriving in southern Alberta over two years ago, Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau has fallen on hard times, to say the least.

In his first two seasons with the Flames, Huberdeau scored just 27 goals and 97 points, which is obviously disappointing for a player who will make $10.5 million per year through 2031. Meanwhile, he watched the Florida Panthers, his former team, make it back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals and win their first championship this summer thanks in large part to Matthew Tkachuk, who they replaced Huberdeau and others committed. The whole situation was chaos, and Huberdeau’s self-confidence visibly suffered as a result.

Now, however, it appears the two-time All-Star is getting back on track. On Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Huberdeau scored two goals and four points in Calgary’s 6-3 home win. It was also Huberdeau’s first four-point game in a Flames sweater (he had only had one three-point game previously).

Overall, the Flames have moved to a 2-0 record this season as they look to prove their doubters wrong.

“We’ve all settled into the system and the way we’re going to play, and I think it’s important to get off to a good start early,” Huberdeau said, according to NHL.com. “Last year we dug ourselves a big hole (from the start). 2-7-1). So I think getting some big wins and feeling good is exactly what we needed.”

On a personal level, this game was a huge confidence boost for Huberdeau. After his struggles the last two seasons, it felt great to get back out there and play at a high level.

“I think that’s what you build on,” Huberdeau said. “It’s a game. There are 80 more. It’s a long season, but I want to build on that. Having evenings like this builds self-confidence. And from then on I just want to keep going up.”

It will take a lot for Huberdeau to live up to the contract he signed with the Flames, but at least he’s starting to look like the player they expected him to be.

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