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

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Sign him to a 1.5M deal, with bonuses.

Low risk, high reward.

I would agree, but I don't know if he can pass a physical right now. Maybe later this summer...

[Scoreface]

Hopefully his line mates can find him, as only the first of those clips show him driving right to the net. The Datsyuk feed was a thing of beauty. If Backlund is retained, hopefully he grows into a similar type player.

I'm in the camp though that we still need a big talented center. Get'er done Feast!

[Saqe]

I like the guy, I think he has a good attitude and is hitting his prime. Should bring so skill to 1st/2nd line. The term is fine but it´s a bit of an overpayment, I guess that´s just the way it goes at the moment.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Same bet. Do you remember which thread it was from? i have to jot it down.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...&postcount=133

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I am excited now! Just need to clean up the roster with some trades and it should be exciting. Imagine if we sign Doan too somehow.

Stajan, Babchuk would be dropped for picks

Tanguay-Cammalleri-Iginla
Glencross-Cervenka-Doan
Baertschi-Backlund-Hudler
Bouma-Jones-Jackman

I love that!

Doan reportedly wants a 4-5 year deal... no thanks

[Mr.Coffee]

Re: the Jagr thing...

I think the Flames are a better team with Hudler than Jagr (if you had to pick). Whatever course took Feaster to this spot, and I'm not even thinking they've ruled out Jagr, but whatever happened this was a good move.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by 868904

For a guy who only averages about 20 goals, Hudler has a really impressive highlight package. It's like he only scores nice goals. If he ever grew the balls to go to the front of the net to pick up some garbage goals, the guy could be a perennial 30 goal guy.

From what I've read, Hudler did go to the dirty areas this season. His problem seems to be that he doesn't shoot much, hence he's known as more of a playmaker than scorer. But Hudler has incredible puckhandling skills hence the highlight reel goals.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I am excited now! Just need to clean up the roster with some trades and it should be exciting. Imagine if we sign Doan too somehow.

Stajan, Babchuk would be dropped for picks

Tanguay-Cammalleri-Iginla
Glencross-Cervenka-Doan
Baertschi-Backlund-Hudler
Bouma-Jones-Jackman

I love that!

Even without Doan, I'm happy.

Also, you forgot Comeau and Stempniak in there.

I see:

Tanguay - Cammi - Iggy
Glencross/Baertschi - Cervenka - Hudler
Glencross/Baertschi - Backlund - Stempniak
Bouma/Comeau - Jones - Jackman

Obviously this all depends on who wants a roster spot more. Who knows, maybe Reinhart, Ferland, Nemisz, Byron, etc. come into camp and make it impossible for Feaster to keep Comeau or Jackman around.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Flames get over 90 points next season, he donates $20 to CP. Under 90 and I donate to CP.

Not sure what other side bets you had though.

Mine wasn't CP, it was to charity of choice of the winner that is to be pre-determined before the bet is valid (i.e. i don't want to donate to Bertuzzied's kid's trampoline tournament; a real charity like cancer research or 3rd world or whatever). I forget the exact details, but I'm good with 90 pts.

This Hudler bet was a blind side for me, but bets still on! I can see Hudler doing a ton for this team. I didn't expect this, but I'll happily donate to see the Flames in the playoffs.

[Mr.Coffee]

if Hudler doesn't shoot enough, they may want to avoid playing him with Tanguay.

OR they could, and it would kind of be hilarious.

[cannon7]

Hudler is not exactly the kind of centre I was hoping the Flames would acquire, but I'm also not sure what is realistically out there as far as centres go.

I was looking through the Red Wings reaction to this signing and most of them were shocked by the price tag and stated that they wouldn't miss him. The knock on Hudler is his size, he works hard and gives a strong effort, but he doesn't have the size or strength in puck battles. He's also been inconsistent offensively, he relies on his speed and odd-man rushes to score goals -- otherwise he needs linemates to crete space to be effective.

Looking over his TOI last seaon, it's amazing he's only scored 2 of his 25 goals on the PP considering he was a regular on the Wings' PP. However, understandably, he saw almost no PK time.

That being said, he's a two time 20 goal scorer and a three time 50+ point man -- so we'll see how a change in scenary and some new linemates suit him.

I don't think Hudler, Backlund, Stajan, Byron, etc. down the middle is going to intimidate anyone, however.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I was looking through the Red Wings reaction to this signing and most of them were shocked by the price tag and stated that they wouldn't miss him.

That means nothing.

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Hudler is not exactly the kind of centre I was hoping the Flames would acquire, but I'm also not sure what is realistically out there as far as centres go.

I don't think Hudler, Backlund, Stajan, Byron, etc. down the middle is going to intimidate anyone, however.

I can't see why you automatically assume he's going to play centre for us. The consensus from most people have him playing the wing.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I don't think Hudler will be used as a center. He's too small, too weak and not good on faceoffs. He'll be used as a winger, and I believe the search for a better option down the middle will continue.

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Doan reportedly wants a 4-5 year deal... no thanks

Doan for a couple years, I could go for, but for four or five years, I think I'd pass. Plus, what would that say about Iggy's future, if the Flames were to sign Doan to a 5 year contract?

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

That means nothing.

I disagree. I don't think it was as much sour grapes as "oh well, he frustratingly didn't reach his potential." When someone on the board asked if he was lazy, the response was, "oh no, Franzen is lazy."

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I disagree. I don't think it was as much sour grapes as "oh well, he frustratingly didn't reach his potential."

He just reached 25 goals / 50 points. If he does that with us, that is plenty.

If his potential lays somewhere beyond that and he gets there with us it's a home run.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Captain_Obvious

I can't see why you automatically assume he's going to play centre for us. The consensus from most people have him playing the wing.

We just spent Jokinen-type money on Hudler and have yet to acquire a legitimate top-line centre. Until then, I have Hudler slotted at centre. I play Hudler at centre before Cervenka or Cammalleri.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I play Hudler at centre before Cervenka

Well that's messed up. One guy is actually a centre, one guy isn't.

[sun]

Originally Posted by cannon7

We just spent Jokinen-type money on Hudler and have yet to acquire a legitimate top-line centre. Until then, I have Hudler slotted at centre. I play Hudler at centre before Cervenka or Cammalleri.

Why?