[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by FAN

Maybe Feaster's master plan was to re-sign Cammalleri, acquire Gerbe and Schroeder, sign Ryan Shannon, Gionta, Steve Sullivan, and Derek Roy as UFAs, and have Hudler, Gaudreau, Sven, and Byron on the team to form a mighty mouse team... who knows.

But I can't see how Hudler isn't a fit for the Flames. Hudler would be one of the most skilled guys on any team in the NHL and he's proven capable of producing at even strength playing 3rd line minutes and even in the playoffs. The only problem I had with the signing was that I didn't see a small, skilled winger as a real need. But now that he's here and with Iginla gone, who is going to displace him from the top 9?

$4M for the type of production that he can bring is fair value. Was the Flames' offer the best in terms of overall money? I bet it was. But I also think that Hudler came because he believed this team was going to compete for the playoffs and he was going to have the opportunity to be a key player. And if you are against paying more than $2.8M for a guy coming off a 25 goal and 50 season then you are against signing UFAs. The only concern is that you already have Sven Baertschi who is projected to be a mainstay on your top two lines. Assuming Cammy won't be re-signed, do you want another undersized guy in your top 6? But if the priority is to be a contender down the line rather than make the playoffs next season then Hudler's size and cap hit isn't a concern at all. This team isn't going to be a cap team. Hudler's cap hit will not prevent Feaster from making the moves he wants to make.

Teams are talking about top 9 rather than top 6 bottom 6 now because you need guys who can slide up and down the lineup with ease and Hudler is a guy that can do it. Hudler can produce in a 3rd line role with no PP minutes and he is skilled enough to play on your top lines.

This team will be a cap team... has been over the cap for most of the time since 2006-07 years with players hidden in minors , The cap is going down 6M why do you think it will not be a cap team next year?