GM Craig Conroy confirms Jonathan Huberdeau won’t start the regular season as he continues to recover from hip resurfacing surgery in the spring. Says Huberdeau will start training camp skating on his own and get integrated into the group later on. #Flames
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Flames injury news: Jonathan Huberdeau won’t be ready to start the regular season after hip surgery
Photo credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Folks, if there’s been one lingering question for the Calgary Flames throughout their 2026 off-season, it’s been some version of “Hey, I wonder how Jonathan Huberdeau is doing?”
The highest-paid player in Flames franchise history, signed to the largest contract in franchise history shortly after his arrival via a trade with Florida in the 2022 off-season, Huberdeau was shut down due to a lingering hip issue prior to the Olympics back in February and underwent hip resurfacing surgery the following month.
While originally optimistic, as is his nature, a few recent media appearances from Flames general manager Craig Conroy seemed to throw cold water on the idea that Huberdeau would be completely ready to play when the regular season begins on Oct. 1. On Thursday morning, as the Flames’ annual charity golf tournament teed off, Conroy provided another update to the assembled media – as shared by QR Calgary’s Pat Steinberg.
The verdict: to nobody’s great surprise, Huberdeau won’t be ready to play to begin the regular season.
Huberdeau says he’s been pain free for a while. Neither he nor Conroy are putting a definitive timeline on a return. #Flames
GM Craig Conroy confirms Jonathan Huberdeau won’t start the regular season as he continues to recover from hip resurfacing surgery in the spring. Says Huberdeau will start training camp skating on his own and get integrated into the group later on. #Flames
This revelation probably shouldn’t be shocking given Conroy’s recent comments, Huberdeau’s recent career arc, and the recent arc of the Flames franchise as a whole.
- Conroy has recently warned everybody that Huberdeau might not be ready and that they’re not going to rush him back – his phrasing has been along the lines of they’re going to operate on Huberdeau’s schedule.
- We don’t know precisely how long Huberdeau’s been playing hurt, but it was at least for the last year. Given the investment the team has made in him and how important a player he can be, on and off the ice, it makes sense to be careful.
- Finally, the Flames are rebuilding. There’s nothing to be gained in the standings in Huberdeau rushing back to action.
The Flames open prospects training camp this weekend. Veterans report next week. The 2026-27 regular season begins on Oct. 1 at home against Seattle.
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Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$89,116,666
$70,041,666
Projected Cap Space
$14,883,334
$43,458,334
Current Cap Space
$14,883,334
$43,458,334
Active Players
22/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'26
'27
1
2
1
2
3
2
3
1
2