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

[Reign of Fire]

Good ol' safe, reliable pick with a 50 point upside...should make a lot of folks on here happy

[Ashasx]

I really wouldn't count Stajan out yet. I think he'll improve his production under Hartley.

[the-rasta-masta]

Who did Hudler play with in Detroit? Wondering if he might be a bit of a diamond in the rough if he was stuck behind a few of their stars. With a bigger role he could be a nice steal.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Randy Sportak ‏@SUNRandySportak Flames Feaster said Hudler was "the guy" they wanted to go after in free-agency in a top-six role

Who hasn't been? Everything is always 100% according to plan with Feaster.

[the_only_turek_fan]

This is a great signing for us. Not sure why some are bickering.

This also breaks the myth that players don't want to come to CGY.

[Reign of Fire]

Any word on the NMC clause yet?

[jesters91]

Originally Posted by Miniac

I think your right, a trade must be in the works. However, top 6 mintues should be earned.

Likely going to see something like this in the fall.

Alex Tanguay / Mike Cammalleri / Jarome Iginla
Curtis Glencross / Roman Cervenka / Jiri Hudler
Sven Baertschi / Mikael Backlund / Lee Stempniak
Blake Comeau / Blair Jones / Tim Jackman

Extras - Matt Stajan & Lance Bouma

Usually a 3rd line is a line that fore-checks, is physical and can shutdown the other teams top lines. It's a bonus if/when they can chip in offensively.

On paper the potential for the latter is there with Baertschi, Backlund and Stempniak but what about the rest??

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

Good ol' safe, reliable pick with a 50 point upside...should make a lot of folks on here happy

Definately not. Maybe his point totals are there, but if he played with Iginla, the guy will put up a lot of points. I would suggest a number, but it would probably sound ridiculous and get criticized; but I think he has the potential to crush his career bests here.

[Barnission]

Originally Posted by jesters91

Usually a 3rd line is a line that fore-checks, is physical and can shutdown the other teams top lines. It's a bonus if/when they can chip in offensively.

On paper the potential for the latter is there with Baertschi, Backlund and Stempniak but what about the rest??

Third line has turned away from the usual, though typically it still has some grit

[Frank MetaMusil]

I've been hoping Calgary would get Hudler for awhile now.

Very happy, time for a few beers.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Wait, does this signing likely mean that Parise told us we aren't on his short list? That's too bad

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Who did Hudler play with in Detroit? Wondering if he might be a bit of a diamond in the rough if he was stuck behind a few of their stars. With a bigger role he could be a nice steal.

ES he was on Zetterberg's line. Needless to say, the Flames don't have a comparable option on center.

This does make the Flames softer and smaller, that's just a fact, but it's not like the Flames have been a tough team in recent years anyway, so perhaps it's okay to continue going in that direction rather than not have any kind of identity.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Randy Sportak ‏@SUNRandySportak Flames Feaster said Hudler was "the guy" they wanted to go after in free-agency in a top-six role

Of course it could be spin, but I like the way that at the draft and now in FA season they've identified 'their guys' and gone hard after them, even when they may not be the most obvious choices. There at least seems to be some conviction behind their moves.

So by my count they've added 4.5 skill guys over last year, lost one, and brought in a coach who's talking about an entertaining, high tempo game. I can't wait.

[Fire Element]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Wait, does this signing likely mean that Parise told us we aren't on his short list? That's too bad

No, it means Calgary is undesirable.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

This is a great signing for us. Not sure why some are bickering.

This also breaks the myth that players don't want to come to CGY.

Not sure it breaks it, but it's a very nice piece that indicates that might not be the case, which is great.

[CGY12]

We just got better at shootouts. For that reason alone I like it.

[Daradon]

Ouch, we couldn't get Olli for that kinda deal?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Of course it could be spin, but I like the way that at the draft and now in FA season they've identified 'their guys' and gone hard after them, even when they may not be the most obvious choices. There at least seems to be some conviction behind their moves.

So by my count they've added 4.5 skill guys over last year, lost one, and brought in a coach who's talking about an entertaining, high tempo game. I can't wait.

It's likely not a spin based on when this signing occured. However, it likely has the realism lense put on it from Feaster as well. I'm sure Feaster would pick Parise over Hudler every day of the week, but hopefully Feaster also realized Parise was close to a 0% chance, so he realistically targeted Hudler.

I'm impressed he got it done.

[Buff]

I can't remember if I read it somewhere or heard it on TV but isn't Hudler the guy who regretted going back to Russia? Somebody went back to Russia for a year and they said it was a big mistake on their part. I'm pretty sure it was Hudler.

[Royle9]

Interesting signing, on one hand I like it for the shootout capabilities alone, on the other hand the guy's always creep'd me out, when he gets happy he looks like he has no teeth