Jonathan Huberdeau scores in final game with Calgary Flames before season-ending hip surgery

Jonathan Huberdeau wasted no time making an impact Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome. Just 3:12 into the first period, the Flames forward snapped a power play goal past Tristan Jarry from the right faceoff circle, beating the Oilers netminder far side to open the scoring.The veteran winger received a perfect feed from MacKenzie Weegar and made no mistake with the opportunity. The snapshot gave the Flames an early lead they would never relinquish in what became a 4-3 Calgary victory over their provincial rivals. But it also marked a bittersweet moment for both the Flames and Huberdeau.While Huberdeau’s goal seemed like just another last-minute nail-biter in the Battle of Alberta, it carries much more weight. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the game represented something far more meaningful for the 32-year-old forward."Jonathan Huberdeau scored the first goal in Calgary's 4-3 victory over Edmonton. That will be his final game of the 2025-26 season," Friedman reported. "Huberdeau needs hip surgery but wanted one final game for the Flames and made an impact."The decision to suit up for one last game despite needing surgery speaks to the competitive nature that has defined Huberdeau's NHL career. The former third overall pick has battled through hip issues before, dealing with an injury early in his career that limited his explosiveness during his second NHL season with the Panthers.Huberdeau joined the Flames in a blockbuster trade from Florida before the 2022-23 season and signed an eight-year contract extension worth $84 million. After struggling to find his offensive rhythm in his first two seasons in Calgary, the veteran had rebounded this year with 10 goals through 56 games.The Flames enter the Olympic break with a 23-27-6 record, sitting outside playoff contention in the Western Conference. Calgary will be without Huberdeau when they return to action February 26 against the San Jose Sharks following the nearly three-week pause for the Milan Olympics.The veteran's absence creates an opportunity for younger forwards to step into expanded roles during the season's final stretch as the Flames look to build toward next season. Calgary still has 26 games left and while the hopes of a playoff spot are officially out the window, the franchise can still look forward to a respectable position on the table to end the season.