This Battle of Alberta trade idea involving Jonathan Huberdeau might actually work after it gains steam online

Jonathan Huberdeau has spent the last few seasons trying to find his footing in Calgary, and this offseason chatter is putting his name right in the middle of a Battle of Alberta storyline nobody saw coming.

The idea floating around is simple on paper.

The Oilers need another proven scoring winger who can play alongside their top center, and the Flames need to move a big contract while getting something useful back in return.

Huberdeau checks both boxes depending on who you ask.

The 33 year old is coming off a rough stretch.

He appeared in just 50 games last season before hip issues forced him into season ending resurfacing surgery back in March.

Before the injury, he was on pace for around 41 points, a far cry from the 115 point campaign that made him one of the most electric wingers in the league back in Florida.

Calgary isn't fully certain if they'll get him back for the start of training camp on September 17 as he continues to recover from surgery.

Huberdeau still carries an eight year, $84 million contract with a no movement clause attached, which complicates any move on paper.

But if healthy, he gives Edmonton a legitimate top six scoring option, something the Oilers have been searching for all summer.

For Calgary, shedding that cap hit while adding pieces to their rebuild timeline makes plenty of sense too.

Edmonton gets a former 115 point scorer who knows how to play with elite playmakers.

Calgary gets flexibility and possibly a return that speeds up their retool.

Whether either side actually wants to pull the trigger on a divisional trade like this is another story entirely, but the framework genuinely lines up better than most fans probably expect once you look past the rivalry angle.

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