I've heard his brains are pretty scrambled. Later in the summer he'll likely sign an incentive laden deal once he's had a little longer to heal, pass the physical, etc.
Really like this signing. I know people are going to automatically look at him and say "European = soft" and while he certainly won't be fighting and throwing big hits, from what I've seen he competes and plays hard in his own right.
I wasn't aware of how effective Hudler was at ES, in fact I remember him being a PP specialist of sorts when he had his best point totals before going to the KHL. Seems he's been able to improve his game to a point where he doesn't rely on the PP to get his points.
Seems to have a really good attitude as well, definitely not the moody enigmatic type that I expected considering his flight to the KHL. It seemed pretty clear in his interview he wants to stay and excel in the NHL.
As far as the contract, what is there not to like? Pretty reasonable term and no NMC/NTC. If the money is high it's probably only by about 200-300k which is very good for a UFA.
__________________ "If the oceans was whiskey and I was a duck, I'd swim to the bottom and never come up, but the oceans ain't whiskey, and I ain't no duck, so I'll play the Jack of Diamonds and toast to my luck..."
I've heard his brains are pretty scrambled. Later in the summer he'll likely sign an incentive laden deal once he's had a little longer to heal, pass the physical, etc.
I don't know what to say about that. I may have just shed a tear. Todd Bertuzzi would be a great fit in Calgary, not to mention his physical play is something that is needed.
Be interesting to see who he lines up with next season. I'm assuming they'll give Cervenka a long look, but Hudler needs to be set up by a decent playmaker. He's not overly speedy, he's very, very weak, and he's not going to be playing with guys like Zetterberg anymore.
He does have nice hands, though, and that's something the Flames definitely needed.
Will be interesting to see what they can pick up at C in the next few months.
As it stands now.... poor group.
Yup right now it is, definitely.
I know a lot of people have written off 23 year old Mikael Backlund but if the roster stays fairly close to as it is now on opening night, a huge opportunity is there for him. People have written him off because at the age of 20 and 21 he wasn't able to be a top line player... but when I watch him I still see the talent that's there and the already emerging two-way game.
Between him and Cervenka I think we're going to have a good surprise top 6 centre.
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Be interesting to see who he lines up with next season. I'm assuming they'll give Cervenka a long look, but Hudler needs to be set up by a decent playmaker. He's not overly speedy, he's very, very weak, and he's not going to be playing with guys like Zetterberg anymore.
He does have nice hands, though, and that's something the Flames definitely needed.
He has racked up a lot of assists in the last few years... I think it's safe to say he has some good play making skills of his own which could come in handy setting up line mates.
Location: Oklahoma - Where they call a puck a ball...
Exp:
Quote:
Originally Posted by the2bears
Too much info in the YouTube tags. Don't include the full URL.
I tried it with the Share button where it was the short one ...
If you don't like Lil wayne or don't like cussing NSFW you might want to not watch this or turn down the volume. A lot of Hudler Highlights. Hudler's one knee one time reminds me a lot of Cammi. In the highlights Hudler def isnt afraid to use the slapper from close in. The dude def has goal scoring ability.
He has racked up a lot of assists in the last few years... I think it's safe to say he has some good play making skills of his own which could come in handy setting up line mates.
I don't think assists indicate he is a decent playmaker. Bieksa had 36 assists this season, but he's far from a smart passer nor can he maneuver greatly. I know what you're getting at, but I think Hudler is just an overall a smart player (from what I've seen, which isn't that much, frankly) not specifically a good playmaker.
I know a lot of people have written off 23 year old Mikael Backlund but if the roster stays fairly close to as it is now on opening night, a huge opportunity is there for him. People have written him off because at the age of 20 and 21 he wasn't able to be a top line player... but when I watch him I still see the talent that's there and the already emerging two-way game.
Between him and Cervenka I think we're going to have a good surprise top 6 centre.
Thanked for mentioning the opportunity available for Backlund. And this really applies for Cervenka and Horak too IMO. I'm not convinced any of them will emerge as a bona fide #1 option, but there will definitely be competition for the top 3 C spots, with Jones waiting in the wings to challenge the #3 for ice-time. It would be awesome to one or two of these guys really step up and seize the opportunity.
Last edited by TurnedTheCorner; 07-02-2012 at 06:52 PM.
Reason: Still learning how to spell Cervenka's last name.
I like this signing. Hudler's got decent hands, can take a beating, and has a good vision of where his teammates are. He's ideally a good fit for a second line, but on this team a guy like Iggy probably needs him up there. I think for most players, 3 years is what's tops, but for him I'm not going to complain about the extra year as he'll probably be just fine when that 4th year rolls around. If Bouwmeester can be dealt for something half decent, this team could be alright for the 8th seed.
Really like this signing. I know people are going to automatically look at him and say "European = soft" and while he certainly won't be fighting and throwing big hits, from what I've seen he competes and plays hard in his own right.
I wasn't aware of how effective Hudler was at ES, in fact I remember him being a PP specialist of sorts when he had his best point totals before going to the KHL. Seems he's been able to improve his game to a point where he doesn't rely on the PP to get his points.
Seems to have a really good attitude as well, definitely the moody enigmatic type that I expected considering his flight to the KHL. It seemed pretty clear in his interview he wants to stay and excel in the NHL.
As far as the contract, what is there not to like? Pretty reasonable term and no NMC/NTC. If the money is high it's probably only by about 200-300k which is very good for a UFA.
plus he has played his entire NHL career with the Detriot frigging Redwings learning how to compete and be a winner the right way. His season after season of playoff experience and SC ring is a another intangible asset of Hudler's.
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Thanked for mentioning the opportunity available for Backlund. And this really applies for Czervenka and Horak too IMO. I'm not convinced any of them will emerge as a bona fide #1 option, but there will definitely be competition for the top 3 C spots, with Jones waiting in the wings to challenge the #3 for ice-time. It would be awesome to one or two of these guys really step up and seize the opportunity.
This post is making me think Jay Feaster might be trying to get guys like Backlund, Comeau, and Stajan to really work harder to keep their jobs, instead of doing the schlock approach of, "Well, good luck next year guys!" and hoping they do good.
It's not exactly an original approach, but it's something that should be done, in my opinion.
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He has racked up a lot of assists in the last few years... I think it's safe to say he has some good play making skills of his own which could come in handy setting up line mates.
I suppose, I guess watching him over the years he never seemed like the kind of player who did a lot of the dirty work to set up a goal. He can definitely finish off a play, but he needs to play with two other forwards who can get him the puck in the first place. Really interested to see in the fall exactly what kind of player Cervenka is, hopefully he's a good fit for Hudler. Maybe those two and a guy like Glencross?
I know a lot of people have written off 23 year old Mikael Backlund but if the roster stays fairly close to as it is now on opening night, a huge opportunity is there for him. People have written him off because at the age of 20 and 21 he wasn't able to be a top line player... but when I watch him I still see the talent that's there and the already emerging two-way game.
Between him and Cervenka I think we're going to have a good surprise top 6 centre.
"poor group" means that Iginla is still on our team.
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I may be bat sh*t out of my mind, but if Feaster's moves this offseason don't get us into the playoffs this season, I don't know what will.
And by Feaster's moves, I mean a whole new coaching staff combined with the additions of Baertschi, Cervenka, Hudler, Wideman, and (hopefully) an extra motivated Stempniak, Comeau, and Backlund, as well as a full season of Cammi.
Good job Feaster.
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