[Rumour] Spector: Flames are willing to move Hudler and Wideman

[GoJetsGo]

Why are there a handful of people insinuating that because Wideman's available it's because people think he's trash?

I don't get the need to respond to an artilce like this by pointing out Hudler and Wideman are good guys that would be positives if we kept. Of course they are. That's why there's talk of them being valuable. Because other teams would (potentially) give us some value for them.

If the only guys we were willing to move are bad team guys who don't put up points and aren't in the long term plans, it wouldn't even be worth mentioning because no one would want them.

[Tyler]

I bet if you asked our forwards (especially those on the PP), they would have no problems moving Wideman.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Why are there a handful of people insinuating that because Wideman's available it's because people think he's trash?

I don't get the need to respond to an artilce like this by pointing out Hudler and Wideman are good guys that would be positives if we kept. Of course they are. That's why there's talk of them being valuable. Because other teams would (potentially) give us some value for them.

If the only guys we were willing to move are bad team guys who don't put up points and aren't in the long term plans, it wouldn't even be worth mentioning because no one would want them.

I was more commenting on how everyone seems to think we will need to retain salary to trade Wideman. I just don't think his pay is that out of whack, unless it is a slam dunk big win for the Flames there is no reason to retain salary.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

If you can get max value for Hudler, you'd be stupid not to. You can replace him by throwing his $ at someone else.

Nobody over 25 at this point matters at all for the long term.

It's not like Hudler's old. He can be an integral part of this team for many years to come.

It drives me nuts that people want to trade anyone that A) had an off year or B) had a good year, just because they are over 25 years old. It's ridiculous logic. Why would any player want to play for a team that operates that way?

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

As much as I love Hudler, if a team wants to overpay for him...

Where did you get over pay from?
This says the Flames want to move him.
One constantly hears management talk heavy hockey. Hudler does not play it. His value may be high right now.
No one is talking overpayment here

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

It's not like Hudler's old. He can be an integral part of this team for many years to come.

It drives me nuts that people want to trade anyone that A) had an off year or B) had a good year, just because they are over 25 years old. It's ridiculous logic. Why would any player want to play for a team that operates that way?

It's nothing against Hudler as a player, it's about buying an asset. You trade Hudler for something meaningful and then go out in free agency and pick up say Ryan Callahan (just as an example). Someone who can get you 40-50 points, provide leadership, helps you get bigger, and maybe he costs 1.5 or 2 million more than Hudler, but now you have a similar player + whatever you get from a Hudler trade at the draft (which is probably a first round pick a late first after the year he had - contenders will value a Hudler-level player way more than a 1st rounder in the 20s of a weak draft).

Also, regarding Wideman: He isn't a bad player. He's a useful NHL defenseman, but he's redundant on this roster. Gio and Russell run the first PP unit, and the right thing to do is give Brodie the chance to run the 2nd unit. Which means Wideman is now the 3rd or fourth option on the 2nd unit powerplay, and he isn't providing good value for what his strengths are.

Now if a team has a d-corps that lacks in skill, offensive D, powerplay help etc, they can find room for Wideman. He helps. Just not here.

[StrykerSteve]

You need to sign the replacements first, then we'll talk.

Otherwise, you're the Oilers.

[kyuss275]

Rumours were both guys were available at the deadline , so Spector is probably not far off. If flames re-sign Cammi then I can see Hudler gone. If they don't they will probably keep him for the year.

As for Wideman they would have to eat salary.

I don't have a problem with moving either of them depending what comes back. I don't think there is a chance in hell the flames would trade them for picks or for prospects that are a couple years awAy. These would be player for player type trades.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by theoforever

We know Sabres been the leaders in that department for a while now.
We also know it will take a monumental effort to get to the Sabres level.

Yep.

Hudler and Wideman would be a good start though.

[dammage79]

Man that sucks. Hudler should get a great package out in the trade market. Makes me a tad sad though, he's been my favorite player on the team for a couple of years now.

But I guess if they can get back a good sized talented RW with a RHS , I guess that would work.

Wideman, aside from needing the cap hit, I can see why they'd want to move him. But I wouldn't in my personal opinion, the only RH shot on the back end?

Maybe they swap Wideman for Havlat. dollar for dollar trade almost, although I think you could get ore for Wideman that an oft injured RW..

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

You need to sign the replacements first, then we'll talk.

Otherwise, you're the Oilers.

Why do some posters think every trade the flames will make from now on be for picks and prospects that are years away? Flames are going to also be making player for player type trades. If either of those 2 guys are traded salary/nhl players would be coming back in the deal.

[jofillips]

all rumours but it makes me sad to hear backlund and now hudlers name up for trade as if we want rid of bad players.
I really enjoyed boths performances last year.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Why do some posters think every trade the flames will make from now on be for picks and prospects that are years away? Flames are going to also be making player for player type trades. If either of those 2 guys are traded salary/nhl players would be coming back in the deal.

Why do you want to trade player for player when you're most assuredly going to regret it? He's your leading scorer, unless you're confident te guy you're bringing in is going to replicate that, it's not worth doing.

We had crap for talent for too many years, I'm not in a hurry to get rid of the one guy that brings skill and top end talent to the table each night.

I'm not saying he's untouchable, I just feel like we're too quick to jump on trading someone the moment he gets a shred of value in this market.

[Read Only]

Top end talent?

His top scoring season is 59 points and that is on a stacked Detroit team.

Hudler has done well for us but he is hardly a guy you keep at all costs and definitely not a top end talent.

The reason guys like Hudler and Backlund are talked about in deals is because they secondary players that are easy to acquire once the team is good. If you can move them for guys that have the potential to be difference makers or help the team win a Cup then it makes sense to move them.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Why do you want to trade player for player when you're most assuredly going to regret it? He's your leading scorer, unless you're confident te guy you're bringing in is going to replicate that, it's not worth doing.

We had crap for talent for too many years, I'm not in a hurry to get rid of the one guy that brings skill and top end talent to the table each night.

I'm not saying he's untouchable, I just feel like we're too quick to jump on trading someone the moment he gets a shred of value in this market.

I highly doubt if they trade Hudler it's for another winger. If they are trading him it's probably for help on the blue line. Something we need a lot of help with.

[EricCartman]

Sell Hudler while his value is high. I know he had a good season last year, but it's not like he has much of a future here after his contract expires. Plus we already have enough small guys in the system.

[FAN]

Hudler is a good complementary player on any team that needs skill rather than size. Wideman is a guy that helps a team get to the playoffs but not through it. I would dump Wideman, because I see his contract as a possible deadweight before it is finished. I would not retain salary just to get rid of him unless we are getting a good asset or pick for him.

[bubbsy]

If we have a glut of small wingers, well let's not sign cammalleri then.

Hurdler >= cammalleri, so unless the deal is lopsided enough sure but otherwise he is a player who I like on the team and think he is good for the team.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Duh?

Seems pretty obvious to me. Wideman is mediocre but may hold some value. Hudler's value must be near peak and as a small, skilled winger he is easily replaced by our prospects within a year or two. Not a bad idea to sell high.

These are two of the most obvious guys to move.

The Duh was in reference to saying that the Flames are willing to move any asset to make the team better, which is basically Spector's 'rumour.' Of course they are.

It's not much of a story unless Mark tells us who the Flames are targetting.

And if you don't get a good offer for either player, you now have the new GM basically on record saying he disagrees the players belong here. How does that help anything?

Basically on record because the comment on Hudler and Wideman are preceded by a quote from Brad about Cammi. IMO it's fair to think the comments were part of the same chat. Not sure what blabbing to Spector gets the Flames.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Read Only

The reason guys like Hudler and Backlund are talked about in deals is because they secondary players that are easy to acquire once the team is good. If you can move them for guys that have the potential to be difference makers or help the team win a Cup then it makes sense to move them.

Why the hell would anyone make that trade then? Easy to acquire supplementary players for potential difference makers? You must mean some really young prospects then.

So Hudler for a litre of Crosby sperm?