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

[Flames Draft Watcher]

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.

Sure but Iginla doesn't really camp out in front of the net. Glencross can and that's good because he's the only player in the top 6 who can and will.

We're lacking a powerforward up front IMO.

[sureLoss]

Feaster tells fan960 that Hudler did not receive a NTC or NMC

[MrMastodonFarm]

Love it, some of you will complain about anything.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Captain_Obvious

Concluding Calgary is an undesirable place for Free Agents to sign

And now suggesting Hudler was over-paid.

Again, look at some of the contracts handed out last year and this year.

Your thoughts that he might not be a right fit are fine, but overpaid? Come on.

I never said Calgary was an undesirable place to sign. You have me confused with someone else.

When is an UFA not overpaid? You seem offended I call him overpaid. But pretty much every UFA is overpaid. Yes we could use a top 6 forward. I'd prefer one with size. If we have to overpay then so be it, I hope it works out.

[HockeyInTheHimalayas]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Love it, some of you will complain about anything.

Exactly, coming home from a Canada day long weekend to news of the Hudler signing is icing on the cake! Love the signing, fits right in with the age group that drives a playoff team, skilled, and decent contract for his past production and future potential. Love it.

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I never said Calgary was an undesirable place to sign. You have me confused with someone else.

When is an UFA not overpaid? You seem offended I call him overpaid. But pretty much every UFA is overpaid. Yes we could use a top 6 forward. I'd prefer one with size. If we have to overpay then so be it, I hope it works out.

My mistake on the first part... the 2nd, I there is a market value and I think it's fair to say this was pretty much right on course as far as the dollar value goes.

The size issue is a valid point... but I'd rather have some skill than size. We've had a lot of big useless plugs in the last few years.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by FlyingDonutz

A goal scoring center. Quite complaining people. This is as good as it gets for centers for us, sadly. The team is being re-tooled and we'll be better next year.

he might be listed as a center, but he is definitely not a center

[Captain_Obvious]

The problem with either Hudler or Cammalleri playing down the middle isn't so much the fact they're not capeable of playing the position, it's the lack of size and faceoff skills.

I like the signings we've made but we're going to be in tough to win faceoffs again.

[browna]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

Looks like a few players have some good things to say about Calgary:

Detroit Free Press ‏@freepwings Jiri Hudler said he spoke to good friend & ex-Flame Todd Bertuzzi about joining Calgary Flames.

Good on Bert...IMO, he should've been here for another year or two at least, with the skill and size he brought, and the fact he never wanted to leave.

Interesting signing for sure, and, out of nowhere. Maybe a bit long on the term given the potential issues, but that's what has to be done...I take it there is no idea on the NMC portion.

Even though pushing the cap (but with a full roster signed and ready to go), the forward ranks still don't seems complete to me for some reason, although I can't imagine Feaster is done with trades in an out and rounding off the forward lines.

Also, besides the player's contributions, the fact that the Flames attracted him (yes, $ talks of course) may provide positive net gains down the road with future players, and should have the local and national scribes taking that perception and theme out of their usual schtick (quickly replaced by some other shot against the organization).

Overall, good job by Feaster, credit where credit is due. Certainly are some potentials for issues, especially after coming out of the cozy Detroit system where he's been his whole career, but the consistency through his time there is more or less there and he's not for a 6mo/1year/1.5y wonder. IMO. he has to take a half step up production wise to be full value for this contract, but that's better than a full step or paying a guy for just a good season last season.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Captain_Obvious

The problem with either Hudler or Cammalleri playing down the middle isn't so much the fact they're not capeable of playing the position, it's the lack of size and faceoff skills.

I like the signings we've made but we're going to be in tough to win faceoffs again.

Thats what I was getting at. Thanks!

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by browna

[...]

Even though pushing the cap (but with a full roster signed and ready to go), the forward ranks still don't seems complete to me for some reason, although I can't imagine Feaster is done with trades in an out and rounding off the forward lines.

[...]

Well they still have no centers.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Well they still have no centers.

Still only July 2nd...

[Reign of Fire]

Pat Steinberg ‏@Fan960Steinberg
Feaster says no NMC or NTC included in Hudler's contract. Just a standard player contract. #Flames

Edit: Beaten by Sureloss

[TurnedTheCorner]

Well Hudler was 2/7 in faceoffs in the entire regular season last year, and took none in the playoffs. Methinks he might play wing here.

Tanguay - Cammalleri - Iginla
Glencross - Czervenka - Hudler

Something like that.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Still only July 2nd...

I was just suggesting that's the reason why the forward lines seem incomplete to browna.

[LouCypher]

Always had a funny feeling Hudler would end up here, even from the time he was drafted. Just a weird hunch. I think this guy has more to show as well, and I wouldn't under-rate the linemates he could have here over Detroit. Closer then we think, where Detroit really has the edge is their system, coaching and just being so consistent in how they develop players over the years.

[Poe969]

I'd prefer Hudler on the left side and Jagr on the right.... Scoreface will be one of the best third line guys in the league.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Well they still have no centers.

Well that, and just the make up of it seems in-congruent in some way/shape/form that I obviously can't place my finger on.

Is it the re-signed average Stempniak/Comeau last years roster on one side, with unknowns like Cervenka and Hudler on the other side? The loss of veteran leadership in Jokinen and TK? Still no top centre? The smaller forward roster? Not sure.

But yes MMF, it is July 2.

[Street Pharmacist]

Nm

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

Edit: Beaten by Sureloss

this is pretty much CP's offseason motto