Arguably our best forward for most of last season, then for some reason was thrown to the wolves in the offseason, with many here wanting him shipped off somewhere.
Which was incredibly short sighted, because he has a lot of value here and can teach these skilled kids a LOT. And with his background?! How often can you bring in a top 6 capable guy from an organization like Detroit having learned alongside guys like Datsyuk and Lidstrom (while he was still playing) through some of the clubs prime years? If not for what he brings on the ice, then for the experience and knowledge, there is just so much value that wasn't being recognized. The only other really skill-first type vet forward would be Cammy. But Hudler is out there teaching the kids through example on the ice right now and it's paying huge dividends I think.
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