Quote:
Originally Posted by tvp2003
After last night, I feel better about the possibility of Hudler re-signing with the Flames at the end of 2015/16 (assuming he doesn't get traded). Yeah, he's going to command big dollars and probably some term as well, but as long as the Flames are close I can see him taking a bit less in order to stay here.
|
I was never concerned about his desire to stay, it's the term he's going to want. After playing the best hockey of his life, Hudler would be a fool not to cash in for at least 4 years. While I don't doubt he might take a little less to stay here, I just don't think Hudlers need to cash in (which he should) and the Flames life cycle are going to align. He's going to 35 probably when this team is a true contender, and we can't have him at 35 taking up serious cap space on a contending that at that time would already have had to extend the young core.
Nothing against Hudler, he's really won me over, but I just can't see a situation where he's a Flame after next season unless he ####s the bed this upcoming season. And I don't like the thought of losing him for nothing after next year either.