Do we re-sign Jiri Hudler?

[polak]

Well I think we can all agree that his performance this season has been rather disappointing. He is currently on pace for 49 points over 82 games. Back to his normal production.

The silver lining is that he is quickly playing himself out of that big contract we thought he might get, the flipside is that his trade value is also dropping fast.

So what do the Flames do? Try and resign him for cheap? Trade him? Not sure we could get much more than a 2nd at this point? Is that more valuable than, at worst, a poor top 6 player (if he continues to slide) on a team that's really hurting for top 6 players?

Thoughts?

[calgarywinning]

Resign him with Pizza.

[Toonage]

If they're contending at the deadline I say you keep him and let him walk when the season is done (assuming he wants somewhere in the range of 5-6 mil). If they aren't contending, trade him. I like him, I think he's been great for the team, but don't think they can afford him going forward.

[btimbit]

I'd say yes if the price is right, which I don't think it will be. I like what he brings but he'll want too much for it imo.

Same with Russell. Just not worth the price.

Voted trade him

[Imported_Aussie]

I say trade him or ride out his deal. Unless the Flames fix the special teams, they will start to fall back away as the trade deadline approaches. Recent successes make him a good rental, even if the Flames retain some salary to get a sweeter deal. If the Flames are clicking, then keep him, but I think the price to re-sign gets too high, especially with raises for guys coming off ELCs
I like the player, but I think the Flames can ill-afford to sign another contract paying a player for past deeds on a cheap deal (see Giordano, Mark).

[Erick Estrada]

I would trade him today if the right deal came along. The team is only contending for a playoff spot because the division is horrible and all that tells me is the Flames need to continue to focus on rebuilding because the team isn't nearly good enough right now.

[Locke]

Its up in the air.

Can we replace him through our system or via FA? What exactly are we replacing? Last year's Hudler or an older, more diminished Hudler?

If we could sign him to reasonable second-line RW dollar and term then I'd be inclined to keep him around. If he wants top-line or superstar money at his age and level of production then you either dangle him at the trade deadline if we're out of it or just let him walk.

Its all about whats expected both of and from him in terms of his role going forward.

[Flames_F.T.W]

Give him the Glencross treatment... trade him regardless of position in the standings. We can't re-sign him unless he takes a ludicrous discount, so get something for him instead of letting him walk. For those that argue we need him for the playoff push, I'd point out that he hasn't been an instrumental player this year and we could survive without him.

[Roof-Daddy]

Don't trade him just for the sake of trading him, or just to add so-so picks. (and I like picks, the more the better)

However, if the right deal is there, or the return is significant enough to outweigh keeping him then go ahead and move him.

Whatever the case, it certainly isn't black or white decision. There is a lot of grey area involved.

[Locke]

See, I dont think his discount would have to be that ludicrous. Evidence suggests that he is a 31+ year old 50ish point RW.

Whats that worth?

If he wants a ton of money and term hes never going to get it. Not from us, not from anyone and he will get the Glencross treatment: PTOs during Training Camps from whoever.

[Torture]

We should force him to resign from the Calgary Flames by trading him for picks/prospects. We should not re-sign him.

[dammage79]

I really really wish they could resign him but I don't see it anymore. Maybe with the season being a step back for him the Flames could get him for cheaper but I feel you need to trade him.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Locke

See, I dont think his discount would have to be that ludicrous. Evidence suggests that he is a 31+ year old 50ish point RW.

Whats that worth?

If he wants a ton of money and term hes never going to get it. Not from us, not from anyone and he will get the Glencross treatment: PTOs during Training Camps from whoever.

I agree with this. I think he could be signed for cheap.

I'm sure he saw what happened to Glencross and others like him and then sees his poor production this year and would like to avoid that uncertainty as much as possible.

[jayswin]

I've grown to be able to accept that 99% of people don't the know the difference between resign and re-sign, but I can't accept it as an actual poll option.

I'm sorry but this poll is now invalid.

[Barnet Flame]

I wish him well, he was instrumental in our success last season and has been valuable to the development of Gaudreu and Monahan. But I think, given the prospective cap hit and the drop in production we should be looking to make a deal.

Not any deal mind, we ought to be prepared to let the contract run out if necessary.

[Gaudreau]

My opinion is you just don't re-sign him regardless of production or contract.
It sounds cliche but if we want to keep contending in the Pacific we have to get bigger and can only have Gaudreau as a small top 6 forward.
That's just how I see it. The thing eluding the flames so far is a big offensive top 6 winger. Ferland is not one as much as people want him to become one.

[Ashasx]

Trade him regardless of our position in the standings. The team is not ready to compete, with or without Hudler.

[Benched]

last year's Hudler would have been painful to lose, but necessary for cap considerations/the future.

this year's Hudler is less traumatic to lose.

I think Frolik coming in signed Hudler's end with the Flames. Hope we get some assets back for him rather than letting him go for free. He still has value.

[Hackey]

I think it all depends on the asking price but I can't see him taking close to what he is making now so based on that I say we deal him and salvage what we can.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I would trade him today if the right deal came along. The team is only contending for a playoff spot because the division is horrible and all that tells me is the Flames need to continue to focus on rebuilding because the team isn't nearly good enough right now.

I agree. This team is a good 3-4 pieces away from being a contender so we need to be making decisions that help us get closer to that. Losing Hudler for nothing just because you want to make playoffs or maybe get lucky and win a round seems short sighted to me.