Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] Jiri Hudler wins the Lady Byng and Best Acceptance speech

Enoch Root · 06-25-2015, 11:09 AM

Absolutely love Hudler.

When you consider his production (elite last year), his leadership, his attitude, and all the other intangibles, he is without a doubt one of the best value contracts of any UFA-age player out there. No question, no debate.

And he is worth more to the Flames than the return he would likely generate in a trade.

So I understand why people are so adamantly against trading him.

But here are the problems:

1) the Flames have to get bigger - and that includes the first line. They need someone who can protect Gaudreau and Monahan (and still be able to score)

2) He is 31. I would expect that he will have a similar year this year to what he posted last year. However, his production is going to decline. Whether it's next year, or 2 or 3 years from now, Hudler is not going to continue to put up 60+ points every year.

3) He is due for a new contract and he is going to get paid. Look at what we're hearing these days for UFA proposals - and it isn't even July 1st yet. It is pretty easy to imagine that he is looking at something like 4 x $6M (and possibly more like $7). And after signing Giordano, that would be problematic.

4) As awesome as he is as a leader, that room is full of top-shelf leaders. Giordano first and foremost. But Russell too. And Stajan. And even guys like Engelland and Bollig - basically, every veteran in that room seems to be a quality guy.

5) And then there is the inevitable transference in the room from the old guard to the new guys. Monahan and (eventually) Bennett are going to take over the room at some point. I would argue that Hudler has already had the desired effect on Monahan - how much more can he teach him? Monahan has to pick up the ball and run with it at some point. (and remember, Giordano, Russell and Stajan are still there).

The bottom line is that, as awesome as Hudler is - and he is flat out awesome - it is only downhill for him from here. Whether that starts in 1 or 2 or 3 years, it's coming.

And it's coming for Giordano as well. Can the Flames afford both of them long term? IMO, no. So which one do you keep? For me, that's an easy choice - you have to keep the defenseman. Giordano is more likely to maintain a higher level of play for longer, than Hudler can.

Also, Hudler's production is easier to replace than Giordano's.

IMO, even though it would be really difficult to do, trading Hudler is the right thing for the franchise long-term.

06-25-2015, 11:09 AM	#92
Enoch Root Franchise Player Join Date: May 2012 Exp:	Absolutely love Hudler. When you consider his production (elite last year), his leadership, his attitude, and all the other intangibles, he is without a doubt one of the best value contracts of any UFA-age player out there. No question, no debate. And he is worth more to the Flames than the return he would likely generate in a trade. So I understand why people are so adamantly against trading him. But here are the problems: 1) the Flames have to get bigger - and that includes the first line. They need someone who can protect Gaudreau and Monahan (and still be able to score) 2) He is 31. I would expect that he will have a similar year this year to what he posted last year. However, his production is going to decline. Whether it's next year, or 2 or 3 years from now, Hudler is not going to continue to put up 60+ points every year. 3) He is due for a new contract and he is going to get paid. Look at what we're hearing these days for UFA proposals - and it isn't even July 1st yet. It is pretty easy to imagine that he is looking at something like 4 x $6M (and possibly more like $7). And after signing Giordano, that would be problematic. 4) As awesome as he is as a leader, that room is full of top-shelf leaders. Giordano first and foremost. But Russell too. And Stajan. And even guys like Engelland and Bollig - basically, every veteran in that room seems to be a quality guy. 5) And then there is the inevitable transference in the room from the old guard to the new guys. Monahan and (eventually) Bennett are going to take over the room at some point. I would argue that Hudler has already had the desired effect on Monahan - how much more can he teach him? Monahan has to pick up the ball and run with it at some point. (and remember, Giordano, Russell and Stajan are still there). The bottom line is that, as awesome as Hudler is - and he is flat out awesome - it is only downhill for him from here. Whether that starts in 1 or 2 or 3 years, it's coming. And it's coming for Giordano as well. Can the Flames afford both of them long term? IMO, no. So which one do you keep? For me, that's an easy choice - you have to keep the defenseman. Giordano is more likely to maintain a higher level of play for longer, than Hudler can. Also, Hudler's production is easier to replace than Giordano's. IMO, even though it would be really difficult to do, trading Hudler is the right thing for the franchise long-term.