Said it before, Hudler's been fantastic this year and really the catalyst for the first line...and the first line was the catalyst for the team results most games.
But the main issue is that the Flames don't have control over him past this year...just as much, he's an ideal player, historically and of course last season, to be that second line player for a team that thinks they're a contender and thinks they just need that extra scoring talent to push them over the edge and into the second and third rounds.
If that type of player can be had at the outset of the season for another team, not just a end of Feb trade line-onwards, he'll command a top price, as not too many players find themselves on teams in the Flames situation (a rebuilding team but a team that had legit success out of the blue, with him being front and center)...and his fantastic play and production last year caught a lot of attention.
Ideally, the Flames get a decent round pick, but also a NHL skilled player that will eventually mature into Hudler, just needs the right amount of ice time to develop some more. For now, said player is a bit cheaper, younger, and comes with 3 years left on a contract.
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