Jiri Hudler, quietly having a good year.

[FBI]

Am I the only one that thinks the play of Johnny Hockey is also a big reason Hudler is doing so well this year? (vice versa too but I think it's more of a 2 way street)

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I would have no problem with extending Hudler for another 3-4 seasons.

Completely agreed. One day I picture Hudler having a Gelinas-esque role.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by FBI

Am I the only one that thinks the play of Johnny Hockey is also a big reason Hudler is doing so well this year? (vice versa too but I think it's more of a 2 way street)

Read this slowly three times and I still have no idea what "...but it's more of a 2 way street" is supposed to mean. I mean, aren't you saying Hudler and Gaudreau are both contributing to each other's strong seasons? That is a two way street. So is Hudler contributing to Gaudreau like a separate two way street, and then Gaudreau contributing to Hudler is also a two way street, but one two way street has more lanes, or...

[FBI]

lol
I'm just saying the majority of people are saying Johnny is playing good because of Hudler. I'm saying I think it goes the other way around as well.

one street = Hudler makes Johnny good
other street = Johnny makes Hudler good

[Finger Cookin]

Put them on one two way street! Problem solved!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FBI

lol
I'm just saying the majority of people are saying Johnny is playing good because of Hudler. I'm saying I think it goes the other way around as well.

one street = Hudler makes Johnny good
other street = Johnny makes Hudler good

What streets are these? Dont say Jump Street.

[psyang]

Originally Posted by calgaryboy

Hudler is called "Master of passing" in that headline!

That's ok, as long as the nickname doesn't digress to "Pass Handler"

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Yes, but it's not like it's a list of "elite company" that Hudler and JG are joining, it's a list of players who have more points than them.

The tweet is essentially saying "Hudler and JG are pretty good". Yah, no ####, we know that. What would have been impressive to tweet is if JG and Hudler were actually out performing some of those guys.

Sorry, this is not a shot at Hudler and JG, but essentially that tweet is saying they are the 9th best duo in the league, i.e. just inside the top 1/3 of each teams top duos. That's pretty good, but to be honest, I would have thought they were higher. Just kind of an arbitrary meaningless stat that actually isn't that impressive when you put it into context.

Some duos that Hudler and Gaudreau are outperforming...

Getzlaf - Perry
Sedin - Sedin
Toews - Hossa
Datsiyk - Zetterberg
Kopitar - Gaborik / Carter - Toffoli
Parise - Vanek
Jagr - Henrique
Tavares - Okposo
Nash - St Louis
Malkin - Comeau
Thorton -Marleau
Tarasenko - Schwartz
Duchene - O'Reilly / MacKinnon - Landeskog

feel better?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Locke

What streets are these? Dont say Jump Street.

But Ben Street no longer plays for Calgary.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by psyang

That's ok, as long as the nickname doesn't digress to "Pass Handler"

There's one person that would be fine with that. Right Steve.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Hudler, doesn't get a lot of press.

I can't recall the last time I saw a feature on him.

I think that's mostly because Hudler doesn't talk to the press alot or make himself available to the press very often. He's pretty reserved that way.

I'm fairly certain his interview with the rookie reporter was one of his only sit down interviews with a "reporter" this year.

[BurningSteel]

At what point on the street do they meet if they leave from opposite ends?

[FBI]

They meet in the middle at 50 goals each

[Coach]

Originally Posted by BurningSteel

At what point on the street do they meet if they leave from opposite ends?

Thats called "a goal".

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Drury18

I think that's mostly because Hudler doesn't talk to the press alot or make himself available to the press very often. He's pretty reserved that way.

I'm fairly certain his interview with the rookie reporter was one of his only sit down interviews with a "reporter" this year.

Yeah I was going to say this too.

I think the people who get the Firehat have to address the media. That's why he actually spoke to them.

He's hilarious though. Asking Roger if he's done. Calling Gaudreau the team's kid. Saying he wouldn't pass to Brodie on a 2-on-1 if missed the open chance he gave him.

He's got some broken english zingers.

[Iggy Snipe]

Hudler is having a terrific year. He has been solid for calgary for a while now, going back to last season. If he keeps it up, he will be finishing in the top 10 in points in the NHL.

Gaudreau has elite level talent. Him being able to create chances like he does has nothing to do with Hudler. Hudler could have had a bunch of goals during the Flames losing streak, which were direct passes from great plays by Gaudreau. If he could have got a few of those, the Flames might have had a win or two, but he was snake bitten like most of the team.

The complement each other very well. So evident by the no look passes and the confidence. There is a lot more to come.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by browna

Agree completely.

But if you don't trade him this year, you don't get much for him next year/the Flames you extend him. At 32 he'll be looking at cold, hard $ and one last cash-in contract, so will want probably 3-4 years at a slight raise given how that cap's gone up since 2012.

So, truthfully, in 3 years time when he's still not half way through his next contract, is he providing the same value to the team/youngsters as he is now?
Youngsters now (such as Monahan, who will be in his 5th year then), who you'd hope, along with the more young guys (Bennett) and other positive trade/UFA additions the Flames make between now (given the salary cap they have, and growing reputation back for UFA's) and then to be come a 4 line team, will have stepped to the next level and have that leadership in them?

Not advocating anything, Hudler right now is ideal for the team as you said and I said; but in 3 years from now, is what he is doing now, as valuable as it is now, or will the Flames be at a different spot? A different spot, that is, with or without the top return they'd get from him if they were to let him go now.

Just something to think about, it sounds crazy, and even more crazy if it looks like the Flames may make the playoffs this year, but the return for him now would be (and have to be) large and that may be more beneficial long term then him still around in a few years, still as a decent player, after been given a "reward" contract he did for his help with Monahan last year and JG this year.

His value in helping develop the young Flames players is more than any return they could get in a trade.

[heep223]

Sheesh every time a vet is doing well people want to trade him because his value is high. I get the argument but we don't want to be like the oilers...we need solid vets to not only contribute on the ice but mentor and show the kids the ropes.

I think this is way undervalued around here. Keep Hudler. He is awesome. I hope he's here until retirement.

[Flacker]

Bump, nothing quiet about it. This guy competes every night.

[Split98]

I was pretty happy with what McGrattan brought to the team last year with the kids, but he didn't have staying power on the roster.

Hudler? He can produce for a few more years, for sure. A piece like him is what truly separates us from the Oilers.

Sure there's more to it like culture, players that know how to play defence and goalies that at least were drafted... but Hudler makes a gigantic difference in bringing the players into the league. Johnny may be the worst example, as he seemed to be a pretty humble and solid guy from the get go but I'm sure he made a lot of strides he couldn't have without Jiri.

But with guys like Monahan, Johnny, Jooris, Granlund and those to come having a guy like Hudler in the locker room has got to make a huge difference. The Oilers just happen to give us a great example of what a crappy culture does to a locker room.

For that reason alone I hope we have him for at least another 2-3. The fact that he produces as he has? He can retire here as far as I'm concerned.