Hudler is not exactly the kind of centre I was hoping the Flames would acquire, but I'm also not sure what is realistically out there as far as centres go.
I was looking through the Red Wings reaction to this signing and most of them were shocked by the price tag and stated that they wouldn't miss him. The knock on Hudler is his size, he works hard and gives a strong effort, but he doesn't have the size or strength in puck battles. He's also been inconsistent offensively, he relies on his speed and odd-man rushes to score goals -- otherwise he needs linemates to crete space to be effective.
Looking over his TOI last seaon, it's amazing he's only scored 2 of his 25 goals on the PP considering he was a regular on the Wings' PP. However, understandably, he saw almost no PK time.
That being said, he's a two time 20 goal scorer and a three time 50+ point man -- so we'll see how a change in scenary and some new linemates suit him.
I don't think Hudler, Backlund, Stajan, Byron, etc. down the middle is going to intimidate anyone, however.
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