Originally Posted by browna
Agree completely.
But if you don't trade him this year, you don't get much for him next year/the Flames you extend him. At 32 he'll be looking at cold, hard $ and one last cash-in contract, so will want probably 3-4 years at a slight raise given how that cap's gone up since 2012.
So, truthfully, in 3 years time when he's still not half way through his next contract, is he providing the same value to the team/youngsters as he is now?
Youngsters now (such as Monahan, who will be in his 5th year then), who you'd hope, along with the more young guys (Bennett) and other positive trade/UFA additions the Flames make between now (given the salary cap they have, and growing reputation back for UFA's) and then to be come a 4 line team, will have stepped to the next level and have that leadership in them?
Not advocating anything, Hudler right now is ideal for the team as you said and I said; but in 3 years from now, is what he is doing now, as valuable as it is now, or will the Flames be at a different spot? A different spot, that is, with or without the top return they'd get from him if they were to let him go now.
Just something to think about, it sounds crazy, and even more crazy if it looks like the Flames may make the playoffs this year, but the return for him now would be (and have to be) large and that may be more beneficial long term then him still around in a few years, still as a decent player, after been given a "reward" contract he did for his help with Monahan last year and JG this year.
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