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

[flamesaresmokin]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

I don't like the looks of the 3rd line. Seems way to soft.

I guess that depends on what you consider soft? Having three lines that can produce offensively now and not wasting roster spots on players who can't play in the offensive zone is far better imo then having a couple more pylons that are 'hard to play against'.

[Kev]

Thank god finally a thread on Hudler.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I thought he wasn't the most fleet of foot.

Yeah, he's not a turtle, but he's not lightning fast, either. I certainly wouldn't say that his skating is a huge asset.

[JiriHrdina]

Truth be told, I've never been a big fan of Hudler. But after seeing his stats, particularly at ES last year, it is hard not to be intrigued.

Certainly this is a massive shift in direction for the club which only makes sense of 3 straight years of failure. Whether or not this new approach works remains to be seen. To a certain point though Feaster has filled 2 of the most pressing needs on the club by adding Wideman and Hudler.

Lots of question markets heading into the year and guys I have no idea what to expect from. Sounds like fun.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin

I guess that depends on what you consider soft? Having three lines that can produce offensively now and not wasting roster spots on players who can't play in the offensive zone is far better imo then having a couple more pylons that are 'hard to play against'.

Yeah, I'd much rather have a 3rd line of Glencross/Backlund/Stempniak who can all play an effective puck possession game (and still chip in offensively) than some agitator skating around hitting people and putting himself out of position. Guys who can control the puck are much harder to play against than guys who hit people after they've moved the puck.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

To a certain point though Feaster has filled 2 of the most pressing needs on the club by adding Wideman and Hudler.

What were the two most pressing need in your opinion? And how is that filled by signing Hudler and losing Jokinen?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Perhaps, but the top two lines would be soaking up the ice time against the other team's best players, so they would get softer competition as well.

Tanguay-Cammalleri-Iginla
Glencross-Cervenka-Hudler
Baertschi-Backlund-Stempniak
Comeau-Jones-Jackman

Which of the "consensus" top 3 lines has the jam to go up against the Kopitar, Thorton, Getzlaff and Kesler lines?

They might match up okay against the Sedins and the kids from Edmonton but looking at this line up the other big lines will be circling the Flames games as bonus point games.

Horak played 61 games as a rookie..... He would have to be be behind Stajan for the 13th forward spot.. either Horak, Bouma or Baertschi (two-way contracts) seem to be seeing some time with the Heat.... along with Byron and Reinhardt.....

Reinhardt might have a better chance to make this current line up than is currently thought (maybe Backlund's spot) as he has a positive experience in shutting down a big centre (Schenn) in the WHL playoffs.

Not a lot of shut down guys here

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by playmaker

I agree that 3rd line looks way too soft, but in fact it will be very difficult for the coaches to avoid soft lines as we have too many forwards that will never bring any physical presence to the game. The list is quite long:

Backlund
Hudler
Tanguay
Stempniak
Horak
Cammalleri
Byron
Stajan
Nemisz
Street
Kolanos
...

How one can avoid the soft lines there ?
btw. I think Jones could be an ideal centre for Baertschi as Sven IMHO needs responsible 2 way centre during his first NHL season, rather than playing with soft and skilled guys like Hudler or Backlund.

Considering only 5 (maybe Stajan) out of those 11 will be on the opening roster, not sure what your point is.

You could go through any team and find 11 forwards that are soft if you go through their NHL and AHL rosters.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by JayP

Yeah, I'd much rather have a 3rd line of Glencross/Backlund/Stempniak who can all play an effective puck possession game (and still chip in offensively) than some agitator skating around hitting people and putting himself out of position. Guys who can control the puck are much harder to play against than guys who hit people after they've moved the puck.

Dustin Brown is such a loser!!

[flamesaresmokin]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Dustin Brown is such a loser!!

I don't think Brown classifies what you were talking about a few posts before. He is not simply an agitator by any means and wouldn't be on any teams third line. He'd be great to have over many forwards on the Flames but you're talking about a pretty unique player when you're talking about him.

[debil]

we should consider aliu in the lineup. lack of toughness and grit is an issue in this team. with current acquisitions even more.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Hells Bells

Considering only 5 (maybe Stajan) out of those 11 will be on the opening roster, not sure what your point is.

You could go through any team and find 11 forwards that are soft if you go through their NHL and AHL rosters.

Try doing that with LA, NJD, NYR, Phx.... You know the teams that are successful.. Throw in Boston and Philly and Pittsburgh.

You have 6 soft guys plus 5' 9" 175 lb Baertschi who are in the Flames top 10 forwards.... Glencross and Iginla and maybe Cervenka have some sandpaper or grit.

When some meanie threatens the Flames bench most of the Flames will be avoiding eye contact and making the refs aware of the bad behaviour of the opposition.

The replacements... first most NHL ready call ups are all , for the lack of a better word, timid

I don't believe that this will be the lineup at the start of the year and definitely not the start of December.

There is a reason that the Oilers all-skill no grit approach does not work .... even though the Oilers tried to have a fleet of goons to provide protection.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin

I don't think Brown classifies what you were talking about a few posts before. He is not simply an agitator by any means and wouldn't be on any teams third line. He'd be great to have over many forwards on the Flames but you're talking about a pretty unique player when you're talking about him.

Brown
Ott
Brian Boyle
Landeskog
Callahan
Backes
Dubinsky
Doan
Brouwer
Neil
Hanzal
Lucic
Hartnell
Getzlaff
Kunitz
Clarkson
E. Kane
Folibgo



ie all guys that play in their teams top 6 and play tougher than anyone the Flames have including Iginla and Glencross.


Alll had more hits than Jackman.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Change of Heart

I like the Hudler signing, guy has potential and speed to burn

Hudler is an average skater at best

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by FAN

What were the two most pressing need in your opinion? And how is that filled by signing Hudler and losing Jokinen?

Top 4 dman
Two quality top 9 forwards (Sven is one, Hudler the other)

It was virtually a given in my mind that Jokinen wasn't going to be back - thus the need for two good forwards.

[403ep3]

Although the Oilers have finished pretty much last the past few years, they will be really really good in a couple more years

Even though they have all skill and no grit.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I thought he wasn't the most fleet of foot.

I think there might be some people confusing Hudler with Darren Helm from Detroit. Helm is an incredibly fast skater, Hudler not so much.

[Roof-Daddy]

What Hudler lacks in skating and size, he more than makes up for in skill and smarts.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Tanguay-Cammalleri-Iginla
Glencross-Cervenka-Hudler
Baertschi-Backlund-Stempniak
Comeau-Jones-Jackman

Which of the "consensus" top 3 lines has the jam to go up against the Kopitar, Thorton, Getzlaff and Kesler lines?

They might match up okay against the Sedins and the kids from Edmonton but looking at this line up the other big lines will be circling the Flames games as bonus point games.

Horak played 61 games as a rookie..... He would have to be be behind Stajan for the 13th forward spot.. either Horak, Bouma or Baertschi (two-way contracts) seem to be seeing some time with the Heat.... along with Byron and Reinhardt.....

Reinhardt might have a better chance to make this current line up than is currently thought (maybe Backlund's spot) as he has a positive experience in shutting down a big centre (Schenn) in the WHL playoffs.

Not a lot of shut down guys here

Good post.

I think the flames should start looking at backlund as 3rd line C potential, instead of a top line/second line center. I don't think he's got the offensive skills to be a reliable source of scoring, but i think he's got the hockey sense and speed, (maybe not the grit) to be an effective defensive center, and maybe even excel in that role.

[troutman]

Don't have time to read the whole thread - but doesn't David Moss get you a similar number of goals and assists as Hudler?