Jiri Hudler Appreciation Thread

[Komskies]

With his 3 point game today Jiri has moved into 10th in the league in scoring at 69 points, 10 behind league-leading Crosby. He's having an outstanding year, and is probably one of the current best value contracts in the league. He's also tied for first in even strength points with Getzlaf, Johnson, and Tarasenko at 53.

[malcolmk14]

Been a fantastic leader and role model on this roster. Hudler has been incredible this year.

A very important part of Gaudreau's success, IMO.

[AC]

I seem to recall the general sentiment among the media at the time of his signing was that it was an overpayment and Hudler greatly benefited from playing with the talented Detroit players.

I love Jiri Hudler.

[Sylvanfan]

Really have to appreciate the leadership that Hudler has brought to this team. He was always held back a bit in Detroit and has shown that he did have more to offer. You look at the vets still on the team from the 2013 season, and they've all been pretty significant contributors for the team this year.

[Dion]

This has to be one of Feasters best signings. It took awhile be we are now seeing the talent that Hudler has.

I often wonder how Johnny would be doing if he did have Hudler as his mentor. The guy has been as effective off the ice as he has been on the ice.

[Monahan23]

without Hudler, Monahan and Gaudreau are nowhere near as good as they are now. Hudler's such a great playmaking winger

[hockey.modern]

Wonder if he will help Bennett next year

[chubeyr1]

So many people in the past have wanted to trade Hudler around here.

Only reason to trade him is if we want to tank. Been the most consistent forward for sometime and is awesome with the rookies.

This year he sets careers highs. Paid at the same rate as David Jones. Jones has had a decent year in my mind. First time I dont puke watching him play versus his contract. Never the less he leaves lots to be desired.
Hudler is a pure steal at his pay rate.

People talk about veteran leadership but rarely mention this guy. They yap about how great Stajan is with the young guys! Really? What has Stajan ever done for the young guys? Seriously? Hudler wants no recognition for what he has done but gets tonnes of it. I have yet to hear how Stajan has helped our rookies.

This is not a hate Stajan thread, I think he is short lived for the flames, but Stajan seems to get more props than Hudler around here. I would say it makes me sick, it doesnt, but time to give props for Hudler.

Few months back I was amazed to find out Hudler was in his 30's. I am way older, players reach their thirties and normally start to decline in production. Hudler plays with the passion of a kid. He is rarely hurt and shows passion for the sport. He looks like an older kid out there.

Fans say trading Gio away would crush our team. It would, trading Hudler would crush our team too. Gio is our veteran dman that leads by example. Hudler is our forward that leads by example. No better mentor for Johnny hockey.

Who signed Hudler? Sutter or Feaster? Sounds like a Feaster signing to me. Sutter is the type of guy that would of signed Clarkson to a massive contract so it has to be feaster.

We struck gold with Hudler. 4 million bucks a year. Compare his point totals to other players around the league and their pay. Pure steal!

[Huntingwhale]

Huds is king and is such an important piece going forward. If we do indeed make the playoffs, his cup winning experience will be so incredibly valuable. I can't believe some people at the time of his signing called it an over-payment. Easily once of the best contracts in the league.

[Bunk]

Got to love the Huds.

[killer_carlson]

Hudler, Wideman, Russel, McGratton, Glencross and Stajan have been great with the young kids. It's odd to think that a guy like Monahan will be a mentor to some next year.

We have a good group and the leaders amongst the younger players are really taking to it as well (by all accounts).

[DomeFoam]

Does anyone have the gif of him screaming from the bench calling an opposing player a #### sucker?

[N-E-B]

I liked this signing when it happened, but I had no idea he'd be as good as he has been. Monahan and Gaudreau really steal a lot of the spotlight from him. I bet a lot of people are surprised to see his name when they look at the top 10 scorers.

[blender]

A guy I used to work with is a big time Wings fan, and when Flames signed Hudler he was pretty disappointed, saying how much the Wings were going to miss him. To be honest, I wrote it off to homerism, but I guess he'd watched a lot more of Hudler than me and had a clue about the guy's talent...or it was homerism.
Either way, I'm glad he's a Flame.

[Jacks]

We need to get him locked up to an extension, not going to be cheap though.

[Hanna Sniper]

[dying4acup]

I wrote an article about center acquisitions for the flames following the 2005-06 season. At that time Yzerman was still a wing, and Hudler was an AHL waiver elgible center.

For the record, I thought he could have been our top line center for the next ten years.

[J79]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I liked this signing when it happened, but I had no idea he'd be as good as he has been. Monahan and Gaudreau really steal a lot of the spotlight from him. I bet a lot of people are surprised to see his name when they look at the top 10 scorers.

And I think that's part of the reason of Hudler's success...

To me, Jiri is the Flames MVP this season.

[1_Flames_Fan]

The dude is a stud and he's earned every dollar we are paying him. Hope he keeps producing and stays a Flame for a long time.

[stemit14]

Hudler has been perfect for this team in so many ways. Has that rare quality of making the other guys around him better. And a great leader for the kids. Monohan got to learn under his wing last year and gaudreau got it this year. Can't argue with the results.

Makes you wonder if Bennett will get the hudler treatment next season? Although it will be tough to break up that top line. Makes me also wonder if management will be looking for another veteran winger to bring in to either full in for hudler on that top line as he mentors Bennett or to keep that top line together while Bennett gets the new vet. Might not be a priority with so many young prospects knocking on the door.

But it also shows how rare and valuable a guy like hudler is... cause I was trying to think of similar wingers in the league that might be able to mentor the kids and produce like he has with them... Guys that could possibly be acquired at least. Couldn't think of many. Maybe iginla, sharp, or hossa. There might be more but hudler has been such a great fit it's hard to say if anyone else could do it like him.