[News] Hudler confirms there hasn't been any contract extension talk with the Flames

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Why? He is a declining small forward. Not what they need

He's not so much 'declining' as he is regressing to the mean.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Why? He is a declining small forward. Not what they need

At 2 million for two years with a limited NMC, that's heads and shoulders better than anything that Trevy can get on free agency. It's at least worth gauging the asking price

[djsFlames]

I like Hudler. Even when he's quiet, he's putting up points. He's an asset every team needs in their top 9. A steady skilled vet. Why should we be so quick to unload him, especially with probably no one as good coming in? If we pick up one of the big Finns at the deadline then all the better, he's an ideal second line winger.

But it'd have to be like a 2 year deal for it to work Imo.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

At 2 million for two years with a limited NMC, that's heads and shoulders better than anything that Trevy can get on free agency. It's at least worth gauging the asking price

Not if he doesn't fit the team needs. Flip him for an asset

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

At 2 million for two years with a limited NMC, that's heads and shoulders better than anything that Trevy can get on free agency. It's at least worth gauging the asking price

I think Flames know the ball park number it would take.

Friedman has been saying for a while now he thinks Hudler is looking for a big payday after seeing what Frolik and Hamilton got.

[activeStick]

Hudler's having a bad year but he'll bounce back to better numbers next year. He doesn't fit well though with the Calgary roster given they need to get bigger to compete in the west.

[belsarius]

I know his numbers aren't as good as last year, but that was his career year. His career PPG is 0.617 and this year he is playing at .653 even with his dreadful start and not playing at peak.. which he admitted himself. Maybe it was a nagging injury and he hasn't been as good as last year, well not even close, but he is producing as well as he was when the Flames signed him. Under 5 mil I think is totally worth an extension and playing 2nd line minutes.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Why? He is a declining small forward. Not what they need

Lets not forget that Hudler has been a great mentor with our younger players.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I think Flames know the ball park number it would take.

Friedman has been saying for a while now he thinks Hudler is looking for a big payday after seeing what Frolik and Hamilton got.

What if he doesn't get that big payday? Given the fact teams are allocating their money to their younger players I highly doubt teams are going to give a 32 year old forward a retirement contract.

[Strange Brew]

Flames should be looking at free agents that miss out on the big payday July 1 and are looking for a short term value deal to prove their worth. If that is Hudler I am ok with it but there could be many players in that situation. We shouldn't focus on former Flames only IMO.

[Itse]

I get why there are no extension talks, but I'm gonna seriously miss that guy.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Dion

Lets not forget that Hudler has been a great mentor with our younger players.

Yup. Solid signing. But still time to move on.

[browna]

Flames probably smart to wait to see what the offers are at the trade deadline. With that, assuming they don't get a return that blows them out of the water, they can use that in negotiation for an extension.

But, Hudler's been excellent the better part of last three seasons, when healthy. Took a beating last playoffs (and the playoff clincher) and put a lot of unsung work in (look at that Backlund Game 3 ANA OT goal, how much of a beating he takes in front of the net), and probably took too long off this offseason and wasn't in proper shape.

Still our top 3 or 4 forwards...and IMO, I don't think he's holding anyone back from making the step up to the top line. He's perfectly suited for JG and SM, and should be going into next year and probably the year after.

All depends, of course, on the ask. Likely that Hudler will want probably more than 2 years on a deal, and 2 years would be the most I'd give. The offers at the deadline, as mentioned, may drive that down, and he hasn't had a great contract year.

The Flames have a more urgent need to add to the second line and to add to Bennett. Of course that could be done with money saved from Hudler, but then you're looking to plug a hole on the top line. And, when Hudler was out of the lineup, JG and SM were far from lights out this year.

Thus, far from a "no questions asked, he's an ok player but has to go" considering the Flames current status of basically being a one line team, and their other needs. A reasonable contract, probably more then some here would like, is fair value for a player of that talent level IMO and who wants to be here.

[ScorchyScorch]

I think he had a nagging injury compounded by continual sickness, and that has since been dealt with. He's been more like himself lately.

Unfortunately I guess it's true, we desperately need to get bigger and meaner to take the next step.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

I think he had a nagging injury compounded by continual sickness, and that has since been dealt with. He's been more like himself lately.

Unfortunately I guess it's true, we desperately need to get bigger and meaner to take the next step.

I don't think that's true. The Flames have great energy players and good physical players:
- Ferland
- Bouma
- Engelland
- Bollig
- Jooris
- Stajan
- Jones

I would argue skill, especially a second scoring line, is what the Flames need in the forward position.

[ScorchyScorch]

Outside of Ferland and Bouma, none of those guys use their bodies nearly enough to be deemed physical presences, at least not imposing ones when compared to the Kings, Ducks, Blues etc.

[AC]

I specifically remember TSN ragging on the Hudler signing at $4M while simultaneously praising Colorado's signing of Parenteau for the same amount.

Parenteau was traded and then bought-out during his contract duration.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I don't think that's true. The Flames have great energy players and good physical players:
- Ferland
- Bouma
- Engelland
- Bollig
- Jooris
- Stajan
- Jones

I would argue skill, especially a second scoring line, is what the Flames need in the forward position.

And none of those guys is a top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman. We need size, strength and power on our top lines and top pairings too. Of those Ferland IMO has the potential to develop into a top two line power forward. To be fair you can add Bennett in the list as he plays quite a physical, gritty, powerful game.

Ideally we add players who are both skilled AND big/strong/physical. We need it to counter the size/strength/skill of teams like the Ducks, Kings and Sharks. You need those types of players to fight through playoff checking in order to contend for the cup.

Luckily the top end of this draft has a lot of big, skilled forwards, power forwards and a big defenseman.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I don't think that's true. The Flames have great energy players and good physical players:
- Ferland
- Bouma
- Engelland
- Bollig
- Jooris
- Stajan
- Jones

I would argue skill, especially a second scoring line, is what the Flames need in the forward position.

The problem is, they haven't got any forwards with both skill and size. (Though Bennett will probably be one in a couple of years.) None of the players on that list are going to put the fear of fire into opposing goalies.

[Roof-Daddy]

I just hope he gets traded before he gets injured.