Jiri Hudler, quietly having a good year.

[undercoverbrother]

Jiri HudlerCGYC GP:37 G:13 A: 23 Pts:36+13

He is having a very good season.

Sitting 14th in points in the league. I think that much of the success of the young players (especially forwards) have had is down to him (and others). He is a great example of what a professional athlete should be.

I think is is great value for his contract.

That is alll.

[Da_Chief]

Last year Hudler mentored and played with Monahan. This year it's Gaudreau. You can bet next year he will be lining up with Bennett and Poirier.

[shermanator]

He and Gaudreau have tremendous chemisty, and Hudler showed some good chemisty with Jooris earlier in the year as well. I'm not sure Granlund stays on that line as I think he is back down to the AHL when Backlund returns.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a line of Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler as the #1 line.

[Street Pharmacist]

I get it's a different slant, but couldn't this go into the "Jiri" fricken" Hudler" thread?

[Displaced Flames fan]

I think he's having a great year. It may be semantics, but what Hudler has done to date this year is as good as anything any Calgary forward has done since Iginla was flirting with 90 points every year.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I get it's a different slant, but couldn't this go into the "Jiri" fricken" Hudler" thread?

Fair point.

However, apparently I couldn't do 4 finger movements to scroll down that far.

That being said, I wanted to highlight him again. There are a number of players getting a lot of press (and rightly so) but Hudler seems to get over looked by the press. I get the feeling that this doesn't bother him. As we know some professional athletes are often more about "me". He seems to be the opposite.

Also, I would like to thank the Czech's for leaving him off the Olympic team.

[tvp2003]

Safe to say than any "veteran presence" that was lost when Cammy left has been filled by Hudler.

Smart, skilled, savvy hockey player. Signing him and Wideman back in the summer of 2012 is really paying off now.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I get it's a different slant, but couldn't this go into the "Jiri" fricken" Hudler" thread?

This attitude is something that has gone south with CP in recent years. Not everyone wants to read through a 20+ megathread. He had a point he wanted to express, he made it. You don't want to read it then dont click on it. Thread title was descriptive enough for you to know what was in here. Seems like theres a newfound thread police around here any time someone has something they want to express. Seems like we should just make one big Calgary Flames thread and everyone can post in there since having the option to navigate through specific ideas and thoughts is so dreadful for some people.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by shermanator

He and Gaudreau have tremendous chemisty, and Hudler showed some good chemisty with Jooris earlier in the year as well. I'm not sure Granlund stays on that line as I think he is back down to the AHL when Backlund returns.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a line of Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler as the #1 line.

I have seen that combo a couple of times already this year -- the Monahan goal against Florida with that sick dish by Gaudreau and the 2nd goal of Johnny's hatty against L.A. spring to mind -- But I have really enjoyed the Glencross - Monahan - Jones line the last few games. They have been going toe to toe against the oppositions 1st line on a nightly basis and haven't looked terrible doing it. I think this has done tremendous things for a sophomore like Monahan, tons of responsibility and different situations has seen his 200 foot game blossom this year and while goals may be down assists and Face-offs are up along with plays like yesterday in the final seconds of the game where he is winning puck battles along the boards and doing the little things to help this team win.

Glencross - Monahan - Jones

Needs to stick as long as possible IMO as we have also seen more engaged play from Jonesy and Glenny, especially Glenny, since this trio was formed.

[squirtle]

Seriously the perfect mentor for our youngsters. Him and Gio have been amazing at this.

[Matata]

It will always amaze me that the red wings never believed in this guy. Now we're paying him $4M for a PPG season.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Fair point.

However, apparently I couldn't do 4 finger movements to scroll down that far.

That being said, I wanted to highlight him again. There are a number of players getting a lot of press (and rightly so) but Hudler seems to get over looked by the press. I get the feeling that this doesn't bother him. As we know some professional athletes are often more about "me". He seems to be the opposite.

Also, I would like to thank the Czech's for leaving him off the Olympic team.

That was great for us. That really lit a fire under his ass and he has been on a whole other level ever since.

And he was playing pretty well before!

[Azure]

Personally I think it is unbelievable what kind of players Detroit creates. Ken Holland has created an amazing system of player development.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I will fully admit that I wanted the Flames to be trading Hudler last year or this year, and now I've completely had to change my thoughts. It wasn't that I didn't think he was a really good player, not at all, his results this year aren't surprising me. It was that fact that made me think we should trade him and maximise value on return.

What has made me change my tune, is I clearly underestimated where this team might be in the rebuild phase, and specifically how far a long some of our young forwards are (which is likely why we are further along in the rebuild than thought). Hudler has become so much more valuable IMO as a Flame than as an asset because of this.

Specifically, his impact on the young forwards. Don't get me wrong, I think the whole Monahan stayed at his house thing is very overrated for impact on this board, but it's what they can learn from him on the ice, and specifically playing with him IMO that helps develop these young players.

I was fully expecting JG to be in the AHL this year, and if not, figured at most he'd be playing a development role with the Flames. I did not expect him to be an impact player at the NHL level this quick, and him being one has just elevated Hudler's importance to this club. What JG can learn from playing with him, but also how much faster IMO JG's game can develop from getting to leverage Hudler as a tool / asset on the ice must just be amazing for his improvement and confidence.

Given where the Flames are at, where Johnny and some of the other forward prospects are at in their development, really glad the Flames weren't thinking the same thing as me in regards to trading Hudler, I think he's far more valuable on the club than being traded now.

[SuperMatt18]

0.75 PPG since signing here, and has been a great mentor to younger players.

Also has been much better the last two seasons, was a bit lost in the shuffle here his first season but really stepped up once some of the veterans were shipped out.

Pretty good for $4 million per season.

[calgaryboy]

Hello guys,

today ´s article about Hudler in Czech media.

http://novy.nhl.cz/mistr-prihravky-h...dy-nhl/5004066

Recap:
Usage of post game interviews with Hudler himself, Scoreface and post game presser of Hartley. So many things you have read/listened to already. Hudler talking about Scoreface screaming for a pass....always trying to find better positioned teammate. Scoreface talking about Hudler´s huge ability for passing. Some Hartley ´s praise of Jiri from post game presser. Nice recognition of Jiri Hudler in Czech media. Nice to see Flames making headlines in Czech sports websites. I am not used to it :-)

Go Flames!!!!

.....and all the best to all CPers in 2015!!!!!!Thank you once more for huge generosity during my stay in CGY in November. It was a fairytale for me again!

Greetings from Czech republic!

[Locke]

Thanks calgaryboy!

Ah Scoreface. What a nickname!

[calgaryboy]

Hudler is called "Master of passing" in that headline!

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by calgaryboy

Hudler is called "Master of passing" in that headline!

"Little General"? The boys would never let him hear the end of that one either, haha

[browna]

I think he'd done fantastic...for as shifty and quick JG is, he's the guy who'll slow it down. Perfect example last night....the Kings all scramble because Gaudreau is juking and stick handling around guys, and quickly gets it to Hudler, who takes it down a notch and finds the trailing guy for a tap in.

That all said, Hudler's value is at an all time high, and with a year left on his very reasonable deal.

I realize the leadership and intangibles and mentoring is especially helpful for this team, as well as the PPG pace he's on, but the return you'd get for him in late Jan/Feb/March, certainly if the Flames drop off a bit, may be too good to pass up for a Flames team looking 2-3 years down the road. That same deal won't be there as a late season rental in early 2016 even if he maintains things...and the Flames would likely keep him, and he'd be asking for a handsome raise as a 32 year old.

Which is fine by me, but if you want to get full trade value, this would be the year thanks to what he's shown and his contract situation.