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

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yeah the big half are mostly bottom 6 forwards (Bouma, Jones, Jackman, Comeau)

No size in our top 6 except Iginla, maybe Glencross.

We're shrimps up front. Like the Canadiens of recent memory.

Not totally sold on Feaster's direction so far but hopefully it works out. Kind of surprised so many are thrilled about adding a 5'9 forward when we already have Cammalleri and Byron. I think we may have overpaid for Wideman and may have overpaid for Hudler. Hopefully they pan out better than I think they will.

Well, Cervenka isn't small and neither is Iginla or Glencross.

Cervenka - 5'11" 205lbs.
Iginla - 6'1" 210lbs.
Glencross - 6'1" 200 lbs.

That's three potential top six guys with skill who aren't shrimps.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by getbak

He originally signed a two-year deal in Russia, but returned to the Wings after only one season, so it wouldn't be surprising if he regretted the decision.

Maybe he can now give Ramo some secret advice on getting out of a KHL contract.

I read that Hudler was released out of his contract when Dynamo Moscow merged with UHC Dynamo. Yes, I read it on wikipedia, but I read it nonetheless.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Daradon

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

If Feaster sign Jokinen back, even with that kinda deal, he'll be crucified by bringing back player who had failed in the past three season. I think it's best for both parties that part ways, best of luck to Jokinen.

[TorqueDog]

I love this signing.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Well, Cervenka isn't small and neither is Iginla or Glencross.

Cervenka - 5'11" 205lbs.
Iginla - 6'1" 210lbs.
Glencross - 6'1" 200 lbs.

That's three potential top six guys with skill who aren't shrimps.

5"11 205lbs is a brick s### house! Built like a Strong Safety.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Mango

I think Jokinen is going to cash in for at least 5 million per season. It should be interesting to see what happens with him.

I guess that would have to be what he was looking for if we said no. Term will also be interesting to look at. This isn't a 'short' contract either.

I dunno how I feel. Definite overpay, but it is the market. So, I dunno, is it better to do something, or to do nothing?

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Spinach

That's only partially true.

Whatever various shortcomings they may have, Smith, Gio, Butler, Brodie all skate extremely well. Wideman isn't the fleetest, but he's hardly slow. Mobility on the back end is the least of our worries, which is not to say the team must move Bouwmeester at any cost, either.

I guess my point is that as overpaid as he is, Bouw fills a need that the Flames would have to replace if he were traded just to clear space. Then again, as our only face off man, so does Stajan, I suppose. Maybe a package of Babchuk and Backlund could net us the 2nd and 5th rounders we lack in 2013?

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Daradon

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

Hudler(28)>>>Joker(33)

You want Olli at age 37 making $4m?

[Stay Golden]

Did Hudler play on the PK with the Wings?

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Daradon

I dunno how I feel. Definite overpay, but it is the market. So, I dunno, is it better to do something, or to do nothing?

Good question. It's hard to say right now; it'll be tough to judge this signing for awhile.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by kn

Where are the big bruising forwards on Detroit? They play a skilled, skating, puck possession game. If you are always in control of the puck, and move it quickly, then there's little time for the opposition to get in on the forcheck.

I like the direction this team is heading in terms of playing an up-tempo game with skill. Hudler fits this model and I can't see him being anything but successful as a second line RWer with powerplay time.

I wasn't huge on the Stempniak signing but having him as our third line RWer is fabulous depth.

I'm not a fan of #fore but he does fit in better into a puck possession, skating, up tempo game. I think trading him now will create a huge hole on the backend.

The only concern I have (and it has been an organizational problem for years) is top six centers. Backlund and Stajan are not the answer, squid is fine but small, and Cervenka is unproven. I'm not sure much can be done to address this other than through a trade.

Bertuzzi, Cleary, Holstrom, Franzen, They just signed Tootoo.

On defense Stuart, Ericsson and Kronwall all are harder to play against than all the flames D except Sarich and Gio from 2 years ago

Detroit had nominally more hits as a team than the Flames did last year and did not rely on the 4th line and #5/6 D for half their hits (Jackman, Kostopolus, Comeau and Sarich had half the hits on the Flame team.


Other than Hudler they had no smurfs getting any ice time.... Zetterberg and Dtsuyk are both solid 5' 11" and 195 lbs.

[Henry Fool]

A one-dimensional player who last season played with two defensively responsible playmakers in Zetterberg and Filppula. His shot percetange went from 9.5% to 19.7%. Feaster's points about ES goals and shooting percentage have a lot to do with his ES linemates, I'm sure.

Let's not pretend there's no risk involved here.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yeah the big half are mostly bottom 6 forwards (Bouma, Jones, Jackman, Comeau)

No size in our top 6 except Iginla, maybe Glencross.

We're shrimps up front. Like the Canadiens of recent memory.

Not totally sold on Feaster's direction so far but hopefully it works out. Kind of surprised so many are thrilled about adding a 5'9 forward when we already have Cammalleri and Byron. I think we may have overpaid for Wideman and may have overpaid for Hudler. Hopefully they pan out better than I think they will.

Might be a good thing if teams start pushing us around.

The game plan for teams over the years has been to avoid physical confrontation with the Flames because they know that firing Iggy up is a bad thing.

If teams start running at the Flames small forwards, it might force Iggy into beast mode more often, which is usually good news.

If the opposition wants to play a soft skilled game versus the Flames, well things are looking good on that end too with the influx of skill.

[sureLoss]

Hudler tells the Fan 960 that Feaster called him at 12:01 PM on July 1st

Also says he knows Cervenka since they were young and gave him advice on the NHL when Cervenka visited him.

Says he will help Cervenka any way he can

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Hudler tells the Fan 960 that Feaster called him at 12:01 PM on July 1st

Awesome. Normally I'm critical, but I'm PSYCHED about this signing. Best signing Feaster has done to date IMO.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Did Hudler play on the PK with the Wings?

No. With questionable footspeed and poor reach, Hudler is pretty much the anti-PK player.

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I think we may have overpaid for Wideman and may have overpaid for Hudler. Hopefully they pan out better than I think they will.

We signed Hudler for 500K less than Ray Whitney just inked for and the same contract Colorado just dished out for P.A. Parenteau.

The negative spins you've come up with in the last 48 hours have had some terrible logic in your attempt to back them up.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Hudler tells the Fan 960 that Feaster called him at 12:01 PM on July 1st

Yeah but I thought Feaster was just posturing when he said Hudler was target #1?

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Other than Hudler they had no smurfs getting any ice time.... Zetterberg and Dtsuyk are both solid 5' 11" and 195 lbs.

By that logic Tanguay and Cervenka are both solid, leaving us with two big bodies and strong players in Iginla and Glencross. That's 2 solid players and two big and strong ones in our top six.

Nice attempt though.

[likwid888]

Hudler says he's training with UFC fighters to get into the best shape he can be in.