[Trade] Hudler traded to Florida for 2016 2nd + 2018 4th round picks

[CroFlames]

I expected a smidge more. But it is just one of those things. Jiri had to go, but I am sad to see him go.

All the best Jiri, and thanks for the memories.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

He also had the right to criticize your opinion

I dont think it calls for insults.

[FlamesAddiction]

Pretty much what I was expecting.

If Hudler was playing like he did last year, then it would be a different story.

He will be missed though.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I figured Calgary was hovering around 49 contracts (like most teams?), thought Grant was on an AHL contract.

How many contracts do the Flames have now that Hudler's gone? 46? 47?

46/50, including Grant who has a two-way nhl deal.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I'm looking at the current Flames lineup and seeing no true top 6 scoring right wingers. . . .

I'm looking at the Flames organizational depth chart and seeing no one that's more than a hope & prayer of being a true top 6 scoring right winger next season, which is one where most of us expected the Flames to be rounding into more than a bubble team. . . .

And I just watched the Flames peddle off a legitimate top 6 scoring winger for a couple of picks without having ever reached out to him to see if he could be brought back on a deal to bridge the team to whatever comes next.

That's why I'm underwhelmed. I don't see the plan.

Next year doesn't matter though. Hudler wasn't reached out to because of his age and value. While your assessment of our RW situation is bang on, you don't bring Huds at his age back just cause you don't know the alternative right now. This teams best players are almost all 22 years of age or younger, locking in on Hudler has us feeling about Hudler in 2 or 3 years like we Wideman now, only difference then is it will really piss us off cause his cap space will likely be needed to make a move to push us over the top, or even worse, needed to re up one of our key young guys. Locking into Huds for art sort of term is dumb dumb for this team.

[dino7c]

I expected these kinda reactions on social media but thought CP had a little more hockey sense...they more or less got the going rate...if someone wanted to give up more for Hudler I'm pretty sure they would have taken it, obviously there wasn't a ton on intrest

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I'm looking at the current Flames lineup and seeing no true top 6 scoring right wingers. . . .

I'm looking at the Flames organizational depth chart and seeing no one that's more than a hope & prayer of being a true top 6 scoring right winger next season, which is one where most of us expected the Flames to be rounding into more than a bubble team. . . .

And I just watched the Flames peddle off a legitimate top 6 scoring winger for a couple of picks without having ever reached out to him to see if he could be brought back on a deal to bridge the team to whatever comes next.

That's why I'm underwhelmed. I don't see the plan.

Based on the interview with Conroy it sounds like they did attempt to re-sign him at some point.

We lack RWers its true. However the organization possesses the greatest amount of young assets and picks that its had in the last two decades. We certainly have the trade chips to trade for wingers. And they are the least valuable position in hockey arguably and thus the easiest to acquire.

And its looking like we may end up with a top 5 pick this year. If we do there are several wingers available who look like they could be NHL ready and possess amazing combination of size and skill (I'm talking bout Laine, Puljujarvi and Tkachuk.)

Goaltending is the most important position, I'm far more worried about that then getting some wingers.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Next year doesn't matter though. Hudler wasn't reached out to because of his age and value. While your assessment of our RW situation is bang on, you don't bring Huds at his age back just cause you don't know the alternative right now. This teams best players are almost all 22 years of age or younger, locking in on Hudler has us feeling about Hudler in 2 or 3 years like we Wideman now, only difference then is it will really piss us off cause his cap space will likely be needed to make a move to push us over the top, or even worse, needed to re up one of our key young guys. Locking into Huds for art sort of term is dumb dumb for this team.

This is why we need to be targeting prospects that can join the group sooner than later not picks. I hope hes going to turn around and flip these picks into warm bodies. I will save my rant for after the deadline he still might have more in the works to change my outlook on this one.

[Bunk]

6 weeks ago people would have seemingly accepted a bag of pucks. Now 2nd and 4th is horrible. Memories are short.

[EVERLAST]

Very popular player league wide. Will be missed more than we know in the organization

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Murph

I'll be cheering for the panthers come playoff time.

I'd rather they lose every game for the rest of the season personally. Whatever makes that pick better. I rooted against Washington last year lol

[Bunk]

There's a strong likelihood the 2018th 4th will be a Johnny Gaudreau or TJ Brodie type player, so don't worry about it.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Psytic

This is why we need to be targeting prospects that can join the group sooner than later not picks. I hope hes going to turn around and flip these picks into warm bodies. I will save my rant for after the deadline he still might have more in the works to change my outlook on this one.

Now isn't the time to be making those deals though as playoff teams are relying on having those soon-to-be-ready prospects for their playoff drive.

If you're the Calgary flames, you don't want to trade Steve Montador or Mike Commodore at the deadline in 2004, but you're open to dealing them after the playoffs.

Getting picks is the ideal scenario at the deadline in my mind. Picks are worth less to sellers at the deadline than they are for buyers at the Draft and a savvy GM can capitalize on changing currencies between prospects and picks if he does it at the right time.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Hudler is a pretty undervalued player league-wide. Seems like a fairly consistent scorer who - if things go right (like last season) - can score at a PPG clip. Good leadership, good vision, and highly skilled.

I was planning on watching some Florida games just to see Jagr (in case he retires after this season), so there is a bonus for me now. Hope he rips it up in Florida. I do think that whatever was nagging Hudler is healed, and he is back to playing like he was last season. Hope he continues for the rest of this season and into the playoffs.

[heep223]

Go Panthers

[Erick Estrada]

I expected a second round pick and he fetched slightly more.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Based on the interview with Conroy it sounds like they did attempt to re-sign him at some point.

I was going off of the thread started a little of while ago where Hudler said there had been no contact. If there was an effort to at least canvas the option, that would change my opinion.

As for the remainder of your post, I'm not assuming the Flames are done and writing the team off for next year, but this thread is about current reactions, and I'm not wholly satisfied with the organization as it stands at the time of this post.

[Coach]

I really don't understand why there is such a large difference in return between a guy like Ladd and a guy like Hudler. They bring different things -- Ladd the physicallity and intangibles, Hudler the high-end skill -- but points wise they are about the same through most of their careers. And it's not like Hudler is without his intagibles as well. I was hoping for a 1st or a decent prospect in return for him to be honest.

[cral12]

Was hoping for slightly more, but sort of as expected.

(Guess ya reflect back to what Glencross got last yr and you hope for more)

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Mike F

And I just watched the Flames peddle off a legitimate top 6 scoring winger for a couple of picks without having ever reached out to him to see if he could be brought back on a deal to bridge the team to whatever comes next.

That's why I'm underwhelmed. I don't see the plan.

Is there somewhere this was stated?

There was just about zero chance Hudler was going to leave money and term on the table to sign for cheap or a few years with the Flames. This is his retirement contract coming up.