[Signing] Flames sign Jiri Hudler - 4 Years, $16 Million

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Yeah but I thought Feaster was just posturing when he said Hudler was target #1?

Of course he was, and he tossed a extra 500k at Hudler to make sure he went along with the story.

[megatron]

Interesting move for sure. I don't know much about Hulder, but on paper the Flames are better than they were last year. I want to see what he can do without playing with Zetterberg.

The Flames have more depth and are going to be more offensive. Hopefully, this will ease the transition for Cervenka and make him better too.

With our glut of forwards, there has to be a couple of contracts on their way out -- is there any possible way to trade Stajan and Babchuk without giving up draft picks for dumping their salary?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by megatron

Interesting move for sure. I don't know much about Hulder, but on paper the Flames are better than they were last year. I want to see what he can do without playing with Zetterberg.

The Flames have more depth and are going to be more offensive. Hopefully, this will ease the transition for Cervenka and make him better too.

With our glut of forwards, there has to be a couple of contracts on their way out -- is there any possible way to trade Stajan and Babchuk without giving up draft picks for dumping their salary?

Only if "traded" to Abbotsford imo

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

No. With questionable footspeed and poor reach, Hudler is pretty much the anti-PK player.

Man, you really don't like this signing do you? Negative post #4 or 5?

Edit: not meant as a homeric attack - it's just curious that you have such strong opinions, which you're entitled to. I hope you're wrong.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by megatron

Interesting move for sure. I don't know much about Hulder, but on paper the Flames are better than they were last year. I want to see what he can do without playing with Zetterberg.

The Flames have more depth and are going to be more offensive. Hopefully, this will ease the transition for Cervenka and make him better too.

With our glut of forwards, there has to be a couple of contracts on their way out -- is there any possible way to trade Stajan and Babchuk without giving up draft picks for dumping their salary?

after hearing the Hurricanes backup goaltender will miss 6 months with a shoulder injury I can't help but wonder if the Flames are not expecting Backlund to be healthy for the start of the season.

[Barnission]

Originally Posted by megatron

Interesting move for sure. I don't know much about Hulder, but on paper the Flames are better than they were last year. I want to see what he can do without playing with Zetterberg.

There's not a player to compare the situation with, I don't think. Not a lot of players from Detroit leave Detroit once they're there.

[Savvy27]

This move makes me wonder if the Flames are considering shopping Cammalleri. In some ways I doubt it because he has a big salary and they seem to really like him, but he's only got a limited NTC, and Calgary has enough skilled wingers for three scoring lines. He didn't look bad at center but if he could be moved in a deal for a guy like Stastny, Calgary would be a stronger team.

[miraisoup]

@SUNGilbertson
@JeremySchick Feaster just told reporters Hudler's deal doesn't include a no-trade clause.

[FlyingDonutz]

A goal scoring center. Quite complaining people. This is as good as it gets for centers for us, sadly. The team is being re-tooled and we'll be better next year.

[Barnission]

Originally Posted by miraisoup

@SUNGilbertson
@JeremySchick Feaster just told reporters Hudler's deal doesn't include a no-trade clause.

Flood gates imminent?

[StAlbertFlame]

Feaster to Hudler: "Juri, The Flames would like you to come to Calgary for 4 yrs @4 million per year"
Hudler to Feaster: "can I have # 26?
Feaster to Hudler:Of course you can have # 26.
Hudler to Feaster: Can you guarantee me top 6 minutes?
Feaster to Hudler: Top 6 is exactly where the Flames see you!
Hudler to Feaster: I don't know Jay, I have other offers, what else can you do to enhance signing with Calgary?
Feaster to Hudler: I can guarantee you White/Red away and Red/White home jerseys- Just like you wore in Detroit and with Moscow Dynamo!
Hudler to Feaster: Where Do I Sign?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[devo22]

Originally Posted by miraisoup

@SUNGilbertson
@JeremySchick Feaster just told reporters Hudler's deal doesn't include a no-trade clause.

most surprising news of the day.

[ricardodw]

Getting a UFA is just so much about timing.....

My theory Hudler was waiting for Detroit to sign Parise and become the next best thing available and get the benifits of a bidding war.

Right now Minny could have made him a conditional offer, depending on if they got Parise.

The Flames had to wait until Jokinen, Moss and/or Stempniak turned down their offers...... If all 3 accept there is no room for Hudler.

The Flames had room left and Hudler didn't want to wait any longer .... Hannan thought he would be getting offers last year after Erhoff and the other covetted UFAs signed.

[Henry Fool]

nm double

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Man, you really don't like this signing do you? Negative post #4 or 5?

Edit: not meant as a homeric attack - it's just curious that you have such strong opinions, which you're entitled to. I hope you're wrong.

Never liked the player. Would be a bit hypocritical to turn on a dime and praise someone who I've been dismissive of previously just because my team signed him. Of course he could be fine. We'll see. I just thought the thread could use some opposing view points.

He's smart guy offensively. I think that's what the current management look for in player. Problem is that there are other aspects to the game as well and I'm not sure they're making the right choices.

[Savvy27]

With the way they are building the team, I'm starting to get the impression that players have very strictly defined roles under Hartley. I think we'll see a lot of Hudler when the Flames are down a goal, and very little of him when they are up whereas Comeau is the opposite.

I doubt we're going to see a team rolling four lines evenly. No proof of this other than comments about Hartley riding offensive players and limiting the roles of checkers to pure dump and chase (Chris Dingman said the latter).

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Captain_Obvious

We signed Hudler for 500K less than Ray Whitney just inked for and the same contract Colorado just dished out for P.A. Parenteau.

The negative spins you've come up with in the last 48 hours have had some terrible logic in your attempt to back them up.

LOL. What are these negative spins I've come up with?

I'm posting my opinion. Not trying to spin anything and then back it up. Wideman is not a guy I would've paid 5 million for and I think he may end up as a bad contract. I hope he doesn't but I'm very nervous about that signing. Hudler was not a guy I was hoping we'd target and while he does add skill he doesn't add size. Our lineup had already gotten smaller over the past half year before this signing. Hopefully it works out.

I wasn't pushing for Parenteau or Whitney either for the record. And just because someone overpays for someone doesn't necessarily validate another overpayment.

I'm a Flames fan and I'm generally an optimist. I hope these deals work out. I'm just not ecstatic about the moves so far and am a bit surprised that grumpy and negative Flames nation seem to be pretty thrilled.

[Ashasx]

The more I think about this deal, the more I like it.

Well done, Feaster.

[shermanator]

Feaster just stated that there's no NTC / NMC on Hudler's deal.

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

LOL. What are these negative spins I've come up with?

Suggesting Hudler was over-paid. Again, look at some of the contracts handed out last year and this year.

Your thoughts that he might not be a right fit are fine, but overpaid? Come on.