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

[Hustle]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Ok, so where does Hudler line up? For this kind of money you'd have to say the second-line RW.

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

You gotta pair Cervenka and Hudler, I think. Just a matter of who is the third man.

Looking at that lineup has me really confused right now. I mean, we've heard Feaster state that he wants to add another guy who's tough to play against. The fourth line is filled with guys like that so I'd suggest that the player would have to play in the top 9 just so he gets regular minutes to help out with our smallish (albeit FAR more skilled) forward crew.

Then it's pretty evident to me that we really need to do something with our centre position. I actually like the look of our wings but we need some size and experience up front (particularly in the top 6). I know Feaster said that he'd be comfortable to go with Cammalleri up the middle.... but its awfully risky to do that when you're 2nd line guy hasn't played a minute of NHL hockey and your backup plans are Backlund and Stajan.

Looking at your lineup we have 12 guys and that doesn't include Stajan and Comeau.... plus all the younger kids like Aliu, Horak, Byron etc that could potentially surprise at camp. I guess I can't see how Feaster doesn't try to package up some players for some help up the middle with so many bodies around (the numbers just don't add up).

That said, like the signing as a whole and I generally like what Feaster has done thus far. Lots of time to further improve the team before the puck drops.

[Hatter]

Am I going crazy, or does Hudler have the most awkward skating stride ever? It looks totally inefficient.

Like the signing though. He seems good at sneaking to the front for rebounds, and doesn't seem to shy away from the dirty areas. Also, how the hell does he score into some of the holes you see in those highlight packages? His shot looks to be incredibly accurate.

I'm excited to see what he can do, and $4 million is only 6% of the cap.

Tanguay - Cammalleri - Iginla
Glencross - Cervenka - Hudler
Baertschi - Stajan/Backlund - Stempniak
Comeau - Jones - Jackman

^ would appear to be our lineup as the roster stands now. As much as I like Backlund, I'd rather see a physical, face-off winning centre in that slot (think Gaustad-ish). One has to imagine that trades are coming, as there's simply not enough room for all of these players.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by sun

5'9
28 years old
25g 25a in 81 games last year.

I've seen him listed as both a C and a winger before. Usually plays on the wing though doesn't he?

wow hes only 5'9 I never would of guessed that.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Ok, so where does Hudler line up? For this kind of money you'd have to say the second-line RW.

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

You gotta pair Cervenka and Hudler, I think. Just a matter of who is the third man.

Swap Comeau with Bouma, who will probably rotate as the 13th forward

I like this lineup though. Three offensive lines with some speed and skill peppered throughout. Scoring goals definitely shouldn't be a problem

Hopefully Hudler can be the Flames version of Fleischmann or Verstegg

[Stay Golden]

Hudler has accomplished most of his stats as a 3rd line player. Untapped potential as a full time 2nd line and for sure he will be on 1 on the PP units. I'm sure that is one of the reason he wanted to sign to the Flames. Hudler knows given the proper opportunity he is going to bust out. I love this signing even more everytime i revisit this thread.

A good friend of mine that lives in Windsor ONT and a big Wings fan and goes to many Redwing games tells me Hudler is lightning fast with great finish when he gets a chance and on the defensive side that he is an under-estimated shut down winger.
Personally i have always thought he has one hell of an accurate wrister.

[Vulcan]

Hope to be proved wrong but I'd rather have Tootoo or Prust.

[Barnission]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Hope to be proved wrong but I'd rather have Tootoo or Prust.

Over Hudler... or is this something else you're talking about?

[Salisbury]

When you search for "Hudler" on NHL.COM on the NHL list of active of players, he is not listed. I find that odd, just wanted to check his stats etc.

[Samiz]

Originally Posted by Salisbury

When you search for "Hudler" on NHL.COM on the NHL list of active of players, he is not listed. I find that odd, just wanted to check his stats etc.

Yeah I got that too. I'm assuming that it's only temporary while they change his page to reflect the team change.

In the meantime, you can check out his stats here: http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/playe...3cbAGIyxvCfgM6

[trackercowe]

I love the signing too. Like many have said, it's hard to deny that the Flames are not a better team on July 2nd 2012, then they were at the same time last season.

While I am not 100% on board with the direction the organization is taking, considering they still are in win now mode, I like the signing.

The best part is the Flames have not had to trade any prospects or future assets to upgrade the lineup (unless you count dumping off a pick with the Kotalik trade).

Hudler comes from a winning organization, and should produce good results here, especially since he will get a few minutes more of ice time per game.

Hudler even performs well in the playoffs, in 2008 he finished 16th in playoff scoring with 14 points, then 26th in 2009 with 12 points. Considering the team he played for those are very respectable numbers. Even playing in Grand Rapids he had 22 points in 16 games, so he should be a dependable player come playoff time.

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Ok, so where does Hudler line up? For this kind of money you'd have to say the second-line RW.

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

You gotta pair Cervenka and Hudler, I think. Just a matter of who is the third man.

Only change I would say is Comeau on the fourth line instead of Bouma.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Barnission

I'll bet you 20 dollhairs.

Do dolls have pubes?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Barnission

Over Hudler... or is this something else you're talking about?

Yeah, over Hudler. A team isn't put together by putting the 12 highest scorers together. The off season isnt' over yet so we'll see what else happens. In any case he's an upgrade over Stepniuk and maybe they'll slot him in at centre (hope he can win some faceoffs).

[Barnission]

Month by month breakdown for Hudler. I should note that February was atrocious for him, as he scored a mere 3 points until the final game of the month where he scored 3 points.

OCTOBER
9 GP, 4 PTS
NOVEMBER
13 GP, 8 PTS
DECEMBER
15 GP, 11 PTS
JANUARY
13 GP, 10 PTS
FEBRUARY
13 GP, 6 PTS
MARCH
14 GP, 9 PTS
APRIL
4 GP, 2 PTS

PLAYOFFS
5 GP, 2 PTS

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Flames sign Olli 2 years 6 mil=laughing stock
Jets sign older Olli 2 year 9 mil=pretty nice deal


everyone hates calgary these days, just makes it better if they prove everyone wrong

can we please stop with the everybody hates calgary theme. the only reason the media are harsh against this team is because they can see that the team needs a rebuild but refuses to do it against all the evidence suggesting it needs to do so. this has nothing to do with personal vandettas against the team. the flames are not following the most common thinking in hockey circles and are in turn getting called out for it, plain and simple.

as for the hudler signing, decent player at a decent cap hit. hopefully he plays up to his contract, but even then, we will not be any closer to being a stanley cup contender and will continue to simply tread water until the true difficult decisions are made. at least he will help make it a more entertaining team to watch.

[Barnission]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

can we please stop with the everybody hates calgary theme. the only reason the media are harsh against this team is because they can see that the team needs a rebuild but refuses to do it against all the evidence suggesting it needs to do so. this has nothing to do with personal vandettas against the team. the flames are not following the most common thinking in hockey circles and are in turn getting called out for it, plain and simple.

That looks like a pretty clear bias to me.

We want Calgary to do everything our way, and because they aren't we're going to criticize everything they do.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Barnission

Month by month breakdown for Hudler. I should note that February was atrocious for him, as he scored a mere 3 points until the final game of the month where he scored 3 points.

Weren't the Wings on that massive 22 game home winning streak in February? Strange that is when his point levels went down.

[Zulu29]

I was pretty happy with the Wideman signing but I'm stoked about Hudler joining the Flames! I gotta give Feaster and co credit, they're making moves to win.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Barnission

That looks like a pretty clear bias to me.

We want Calgary to do everything our way, and because they aren't we're going to criticize everything they do.

They don't want Calgary to do it their way. They simply feel it is the wrong way. As do the vast majority of non flame fans. The vast majority. Heck, even flames media feel that management is going about it wrong

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by Barnission

That looks like a pretty clear bias to me.

We want Calgary to do everything our way, and because they aren't we're going to criticize everything they do.

That's exactly the problem.

These clowns think they know what's best for a franchise that none of them have the slightest clue about.