Jiri Hudler injury - Blessing in disgiuse?

[jayswin]

It would be odd if Hudler's nagging injury/off year actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

I'm one of those that believes that there's no way his play/desire actually fell off the face of the earth like many on CP believe. It just doesn't seem possible, so his removal from yesterday's game to me offered a lot of insight.

He likely has been nursing something that is seriously limiting his ability to play hockey. Unfortunately, right now it has hurt our hockey team and heading into trade season has also severely hurt our chances of turning him into anything useful to the team.

However, looking beyond this season, our need for top 6 right wingers is huge, yet we'll have a major cap crunch as well this off season. Imagine if he's nursing an ailment that turns the other teams off him not only in a trade this season but also as a free agent, then the Flames, knowing the situation, simply re-sign to a very reasonable deal.

I'm thinking like 3x3.5 to 3x4, and all of a sudden a player that was expected to cash in as $6mil/yr player just 5 months ago and therefore not fit into our cap situation, becomes a very reasonable 2nd line RW in our rebuild until a younger player can overtake him.

Random thread, I know, but there's not many threads created so figured the possibility was worth a little discussion. I know I'd be very happy if things went down this way rather than grabbing a late 2nd/3rd at the deadline.

[Ryan Coke]

I definitely agree that he has likely been hampered by injury. For Hudler, and most players whose play suddenly and inexplicably falls off, there is usually an injury that is affecting them that they are playing through.

Hopefully they give him some time off to get healthy.

[polak]

DISCOUNT!

But actually could a player have a worse scenario in a career year?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by polak

DISCOUNT!

But actually could a player have a worse scenario in a career year?

For the player definitely, he's probably cursing his situation every minute of this year. That's why I believe the CP'er's constantly tooting the "look at him, he's clearly checked out" "he's given up, just doesn't seem to care anymore" are out to lunch.

It just doesn't add up. He was on pace to likely receive the biggest contract of his career in the $22 - 35mil range depending on this season's production. And in regards to his play dropping off because he's older, I don't buy that either. Sure, there's going to be some drop off now that he's into his 30's, but there's no way he's gone from what he was last year to what he is this year because of being 31 instead of 30, he was too good.

[jayswin]

But like I said, if it means the market drops off a cliff and we can get him on a $10-$12 million contract, we would not only have to do that in a heartbeat, but also thank our lucky stars (provided it's a year limiting injury and not a career limiting one) that we basically have a veteran, top 6 right wing (our biggest organizational need after a true number one goalie) at half price.

I'm actually kind of excited at this possibility.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Blessing? If you mean we are now stuck with a player, who was at peak value in a career season last year; who we probably won't resign - or trade..

Yeah he's a real blessing.

That being said..I absolutely loved watching huds play these last few years and the issue I have here is asset management, not with Jiri. I think he's awesomeness personified. A great professional, good leader/role model and fantastic player

I simply don't want to see another Cammallerri situation losing a very capable scorer for nothing at all. Letting him walk. It's something that bothers me. Whatever.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

Blessing? If you mean we are now stuck with a player, who was at peak value in a career season last year; who we probably won't resign - or trade..

Yeah he's a real blessing.

Well Jesus Christ man, you take away the scenario that I clearly stated would be the reason this would be a blessing in disguise and say "Yeah, nice blessing in disguise if the thing you said could happen, doesn't happen!!!".

What's the point of that? You could easily say you think he'll walk in the summer because lots of teams will still have interest, and that's a very real possibility, but my "blessing in disguise" comment was quite clearly linked to IF it plays into our favor in the form of a cheap contract. That's why the word COULD is right in the damn thread title.

Your post was needlessly flippant and annoying.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Well Jesus Christ man, you take away the scenario that I clearly stated would be the reason this would be a blessing in disguise and say "Yeah, nice blessing in disguise if the thing you said could happen, doesn't happen!!!".

What's the point of that? You could easily say you think he'll walk in the summer because lots of teams will still have interest, and that's a very real possibility, but my "blessing in disguise" comment was quite clearly linked to IF it plays into our favor in the form of a cheap contract. That's why the word COULD is right in the damn thread title.

Your post was needlessly flippant and annoying.

His username checks out at least...

[druetetective]

Here are some RW that will be UFA's this summer:
Shane Doan
Radim Vrbata
Loui Eriksson
Jiri Hudler RW
David Jones
Troy Brouwer
Alex Tanguay
Jaromir Jagr
Kyle Okposo
Jason Chimera
Chris Neil
Steve Downie
Chris Stewart
Paul Byron
Lee Stempniek

[druetetective]

other than Okposo and Flames from the past and present not too much there.

Would you rather have Hudler for 4-4.5 or throw an extra 2 million to Okposo though? Can we even afford that? He probably ends up with the Wild anyways.

[Patek23]

--

[BigRed]

I like Jiri Hudler.

(And would take him back in a heartbeat for 4ish mln x 4)

No way he's checked out. Why commit career suicide? He's obviously hurt and has been all year. If these circumstances make him an affordable re-sign I won't complain.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by druetetective

other than Okposo and Flames from the past and present not too much there.

Would you rather have Hudler for 4-4.5 or throw an extra 2 million to Okposo though? Can we even afford that? He probably ends up with the Wild anyways.

Not too much there? Jaromir Jagr is there and he is kind of a big deal.

[t0rrent98]

maybe he hurt himself running off the ice after saving a Perry shot during the team's warm ups

[druetetective]

Originally Posted by Makarov

Not too much there? Jaromir Jagr is there and he is kind of a big deal.

And what are the chances he will sign with the Flames?

[PlayfulGenius]

Why wouldn't the Flames have interest in Loui Eriksson? He's recently healthy, no?

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Well Jesus Christ man, you take away the scenario that I clearly stated would be the reason this would be a blessing in disguise and say "Yeah, nice blessing in disguise if the thing you said could happen, doesn't happen!!!".

What's the point of that? You could easily say you think he'll walk in the summer because lots of teams will still have interest, and that's a very real possibility, but my "blessing in disguise" comment was quite clearly linked to IF it plays into our favor in the form of a cheap contract. That's why the word COULD is right in the damn thread title.

Your post was needlessly flippant and annoying.

Sorry mate, I honestly didn't mean it like that.

Reading it again it's quite cynical but that wasn't aimed at you, I guess I could have just said I'm afraid he will walk in the summer..

My bad? Didn't mean to upset anyone

[Split98]

If Hudler and the Flames know he's playing hurt I would have to think he's not going to take a discount due to this years production. They'd be looking at last years and dismissing this year as 'we both know why'.

[AcGold]

I could see him signing in LA, Winnipeg, St. Louis or Anaheim. Somewhere where his linemate isn't another munchkin, two munchkins=one lower body injury.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Split98

If Hudler and the Flames know he's playing hurt I would have to think he's not going to take a discount due to this years production. They'd be looking at last years and dismissing this year as 'we both know why'.

For this reason I'd much rather the flames target a player like Boedker in free agency