[Rumour] Friedman: Flames aggressive in trade market. Getting calls on Hudler.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I think we should keep Hudler unless a team is willing to part with a 1st or blue chip prospect / emerging NHLer that we like. Hudler and Gaudreau are incredible together. I actually believe Gaudreau is a mix of Hudler and Kane. Anyhow they have an almost telepathic understanding / vision of each other on the ice. Reminds me a lot of the Sedins sometimes how they can basically do give and go plays and keep the puck away from the other team with their passing ability and positioning. They both find open ice very well, have incredible vision and hands - and great shooting.

I'd keep Hudler unless we are offered a established young physical d-man like Dillon or a big RW or a first round pick. I'd offer Hudler and a 2nd for Mantha. But I am a big believer in Mantha and think his bad AHL season stems from the broken leg in preseason and big jump in competition all at once. Came back to a brand new league and he wasnt even up to pace. You dont do what Mantha did in the Q and then just forget how to score. That isnt what happened.

So a young player of top quality, a 1st or no deal.

[tvp2003]

Who are the upcoming UFA's that Hudler would be "competing" against at the trade deadline next year (and for that matter, this year's draft)?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Who are the upcoming UFA's that Hudler would be "competing" against at the trade deadline next year (and for that matter, this year's draft)?

http://www.generalfanager.com/freeag...team=all&UFA=1

[dammage79]

It's a decent list as of right now, but I'll say a hefty percentage of those at the top will be re-signed before then.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Hudler for Nichushkin + ?

He looked pretty good his rookie season, not sure why he only played 8 games last year tho.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Hudler for Nichushkin + ?

He looked pretty good his rookie season, not sure why he only played 8 games last year tho.

Nichushkin would require much more to pry out of DAL. He miss all of last year with back or hip surgery. I'd kill to have that player on the Flames but it just isn't happening IMO.

EDIT: Just looked, hip surgery.

[Major Major]

Maybe a team would be more willing to overpay in terms of picks for the 2016 draft. a first and third in 2016 and a 2nd in 2015 would allow the Flames to swing for the fences in the rfa offer sheet game. Would love saad

[GoJetsGo]

What about deal surrounding Hudler to Anaheim for Nick Ritchie?

The Ducks must be looking for something to put them over the top and a top line of Hudler-Getz-Perry could work well for them.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

What about deal surrounding Hudler to Anaheim for Nick Ritchie?

The Ducks must be looking for something to put them over the top and a top line of Hudler-Getz-Perry could work well for them.

Not sure hudler fits well on that top line. They generate everything by being big and physical down low, cycling (also lots of interference and picks) and wearing down the defence. I think Maroon is a great fit on that line, hudler not so much as thats not his game.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I wouldn't against trading Hudler away if the price was right, but it has to be right.

Hudler is a mentor on and off the ice.

Also, I am of the opinion that you need skilled guys on the team. These guys help the other players on the team become more skilled as well. Having a few of these guys around with very high offensive IQ and puck-skills helps other guys develop puck-skills as well. I remember (not so fondly) of when the Flames had troubles making and receiving passes, much less make solid transitional plays. Hudler helps that tremendously, and I would go so far as to say that it helps everyone else on the team develop those skills as well.

With that being said, he is a guy that can and should be considered a 'core guy' today, but will probably not be thought of that 3 years down the road when the team should be peaking and hopefully challenging for a cup. Good on Treliving to be exploring options with Hudler, but I am confident unless there a deal materializes that completely knocks Treliving's socks off, Hudler will be a Flame to at least start the season. Then it will be a matter of how contract talks go (if he doesn't re-sign between July 1st and camp).

The bolded is an excellent point, and one that shouldn't be overlooked. You can have natural skills that are NHL worthy, but it takes experience to know how to take advantage of the other team with those skills; when and where to use them so to speak.

If anyone want to see an example of this, look at Huberdeau and Barkov before and after the Jagr trade last year with the Panthers. The numbers tell the story, but you could see Jagr coaching them on the bench as to where to be, where the puck would end up, and how to maneuver through the defenses. You can't replace the experience of someone like Jagr, and Hudler has been doing that to a lesser extent in Calgary since he's arrived.

Our skill players wouldn't be half as far along in their development without Hudler's guidance. I'm not sure that job is done yet, so I'm very hesitant to trade him with nobody really available to take on his job description. We are all talking about what is best for this team long term, and developing elite prospects properly is more important than anything. For that reason, we hold on to Hudler, and possibly even extend him.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Not sure hudler fits well on that top line. They generate everything by being big and physical down low, cycling (also lots of interference and picks) and wearing down the defence. I think Maroon is a great fit on that line, hudler not so much as thats not his game.

Completely disagree. With Hudler's vision and skill-set, he'd fit nicely with those guys. You don't need to have three players of the exact same mould to make a line work.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

What about deal surrounding Hudler to Anaheim for Nick Ritchie?

The Ducks must be looking for something to put them over the top and a top line of Hudler-Getz-Perry could work well for them.

Thick Nick? Hell to the no.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Thick Nick? Hell to the no.

The Flames were rumored to be really high on him at the draft, and he just put up 26 points in 14 playoff games in the O.

Maybe Anaheim adds, but I don't think it's a cringe-worthy idea.

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Thick Nick? Hell to the no.

Hell to the no? Why? He's a solid prospect.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

The Flames were rumored to be really high on him at the draft, and he just put up 26 points in 14 playoff games in the O.

Maybe Anaheim adds, but I don't think it's a cringe-worthy idea.

I don't think his skating and fitness are good enough to be a great NHL player. Of course that could change. He dominates junior because of his size and decent skill set, but I'm not convinced it will translate as well to the pro leagues.

How he does in the AHL next year will tell us if he's more than just a good junior player. I don't think trading Hudler for him would be a good deal in the short or long term.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I'd trade Hudler for Ritchie in a heartbeat. Exactly what this team needs. I think he has more than a decent skill set and his skating is about where you would expect someone who has grown so much so young to be. 6'3 235 at his young age, he needed and still needs to grow into his man body and learn to use it. Like Kanzig and Smith - but he is way way more talented and has a better pedigree. His conditioning, diet, training, skating, etc is all changing now as a 'almost pro'. I think it is a risk worth taking. I highly doubt anaheim gets rid of him. My only concern with Nick is he has had quite a few injuries for such a young fella.

Ferland - Bennett - Ritchie

This line would terrorize.

[Headshot]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Hudler for Nichushkin + ?

He looked pretty good his rookie season, not sure why he only played 8 games last year tho.

I really like this deal.

Calgary gets a young, potential stud with size, right handed shot.

Dallas gets another offensive threat on great money.

Hudler for Nichuskin straight up actually would be fair imo.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Headshot

I really like this deal.

Calgary gets a young, potential stud with size, right handed shot.

Dallas gets another offensive threat on great money.

Hudler for Nichuskin straight up actually would be fair imo.

1. Nichushkin is a Left handed RW

2. Dallas ain't got no time for that trade.

[Chonger]

Rg

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Maybe a team would be more willing to overpay in terms of picks for the 2016 draft. a first and third in 2016 and a 2nd in 2015 would allow the Flames to swing for the fences in the rfa offer sheet game. Would love saad

maybe better off with the scatter approach. saad himself was a 2nd rounder after all, and we have 3 in this supposedly deep draft.
that said, a seabrooke, or a hamilton, would push this team over the top IMO. i think i'de be alright with seeing the flames spend picks to 'add for the now' so long as it improves the d-core in a younger age bracket. this team is closer than we give them credit for.
i have faith in brodie-gio, who spent half the season as the best tandem in the league, but another top 2 d-man would make us legitimately competitive.