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

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Kipperking

Was just a simple observation. I really don`t care what the Flames do, chill.

Ummm, you might be in the wrong place then.

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by Spinoff90

Like the signing but it makes the Comeau signing make even less sense.

And how is that?

We've added a lot of skill and scoring and need some grit and big bodies.

Comeau is going to play 4th line, is big, finishes checks, is fast and hard to play against. And he's just over a million on a one year deal.

How does that not make sense to you?

[Mr.Coffee]

It's a good deal, tough to find anything wrong with it. Makes sense.

Definitely new territory as a Flames fan. I can't imagine we'll be very tough, but as long as it's exciting it'll be good.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin

Definite skill boost and is in the right age group as you've mentioned. Is he versatille though?

He's seen roughly 13 Min per game in his 5 years with Detroit (granted on a deep team). I remember hearing he was constantly in Babcock's doghouse for his poor play away from the puck for the last two years which is concerning.

So long as this isn't tied down with NMc/NTC clause it seems like it should be a fair deal though.

What I meant by versatile is that he can play all three forward positions, mostly a winger...but can play either side effectively. That's all.

[Kipperking]

Originally Posted by Captain_Obvious

Well then it seems both awesome and productive that you're here. Congrats.

Awesome and productive in what way?

[the_only_turek_fan]

So many line combinations.

Actions speak louder than words. It is clear that Feaster and Weisbrod do not feel Backlund and Nemiesz are NHL players. Those guys are done IMO.

They are not Feaster picks either.

I really think Bouwmeester and Backlund will be packaged off and traded.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by JurassicTunga12

Pat Steinberg ‏@Fan960Steinberg Feaster talks about Hudler's ability to score 5-on-5. 23 at ES last year. Calls him a highly skilled and dynamic player. #Flames

Wow, color me impressed. Its exciting to not only get a guy who is especially productive at even strength, but have the management team highlight it. Acquiring quality even strength scorers was a huge need for this team.

Only a little over 2 minutes of power play per game too - if he can continue to be productive at ES an uptick in PP time should definitely help his point production.

[miraisoup]

Man people hate everything the Flames do. Makes me laugh. Hudler is getting this price anywhere Imo. He is one of the best left.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

So many line combinations.

Actions speak louder than words. It is clear that Feaster and Weisbrod do not feel Backlund and Nemiesz are NHL players. Those guys are done IMO.

They are not Feaster picks either.

I really think Bouwmeester and Backlund will be packaged off and traded.

agree 10000000%

Would love to see this if Backlund isn't going to be given a legit chance, they should maximize his value right now, some teams may be able to turn Backlund into something special, a package with Bouwmeester provides youth upside...

could be a great deal.

[Kipperking]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Ummm, you might be in the wrong place then.

I generally enjoy this forum because it's much better then HF or other offical NHL forums, I believe there are posters here who cheer for other teams ( Buffalo, Edmonton?)

[saillias]

Trades must be coming. Our top 6 is now more like a top 7. Too many guys promised top 6 roles, like Glencross, Cervanka, Baertschi etc and now Hudler obviously. Even guys like Stempniak, Comeau and Backlund who aren't being used to the best of their ability in a bottom 6 role.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Johnny Rotten

Is Stajan waived? Maybe not now, but after training camp?

I am sure Feaster will try to get an asset back for him before the season starts. Maybe a 5th round pick from a team trying to get to the cap floor?

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I imagine the $4.5M in cap space we have won't change much now.

Still have the possibility to clear out Bouw, Stajan and Babs which would open up the cap space to just over 17 million.

I don't think Bouw is getting traded now the more I look at it but I do believe Stajan and Babs could be shipped out to give Feaster even more flexibility.

Right now we have:

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

I don't see Stajan fitting in there anywhere, he's gotta go even though I appreciate how he played near the end of the season last year. If Feaster had any faith in Stajan's playing he wouldn't be saying that they would put Cammy at 1st line centre even though they really don't want to have to do that if they can't find a 1st line centre. With Hudler coming in who plays the wing but also plays center and Cervenka and Backlund on deck depending on how they start the season there just doesn't seem to be room for Stajan, certainly not at 3.5 mill on the 4th line. Babs finds himself in the same kind of position on Defense, there just isn't room for them.

[sureLoss]

Kevin Allen's thoughts on the signing:
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.T_IC2fXdMzB

The Calgary Flames signed Jiri Hudler for four years at $16 million. Hudler was the third-most skilled passer on the Red Wings last season behind Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom. He has exceptional offensive awareness and good hands around the net. He can find the upper corners with his quick release. He's above average on shootouts. The worry for the Flames is that Hudler is smallish and he can be pushed around by stronger players.

The Red Wings always love offensively gifted players, but they wouldn't pay him $4 million per season. But the Flames need& skill,and Hudler has that.

[mrdonkey]

Don't get why the Flames would trade J-Bo just to dump cap space. Without him the defense looks slow and deficient in their own end, and it's not like the Flames are oozing with top 4 defensemen to replace him. And as much as he is overpaid he's the only guy who can be relied on to play big minutes. I certainly wouldn't trust Wideman with that responsibility.

Babchuk and Stajan are entirely redundant. It makes far more sense to trade them for whatever you can get if the point is to just dump salary.

[Canada 02]

Jim Nill calls Hudler "one of his favourite players; had a great season last year; scoring ability and hockey sense is second to none"

Strickland and HF can go to hell

[dino7c]

this is a great deal, the fact that people are hating on it just goes to show how the flames are the team everyone loves to hate on these days. It will just make it better if they have a good season...please god let then have a good season

[FAN]

Hmm... My initial thought is that this is a good signing. My second thought is where's size going to come from?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Did you happen to see who won the cup this year.. and the year before that?

Boston was an absolutely bruising team and the Kings weren't that far off.

They were both skilled, but they were pretty damned big and tough.

They were fast and they could forecheck. I'm not sure how bruising the Kings were. Yes they had guys like King and Nolan and even Penner! But they gave up alot of shots and Quick was brilliant.

Boston barely survived the Eastern Conference... 3 game 7s? If Vancouver weren't such pansies, they'd have won that series in a walk. I think Boston will struggle from now on and we will see that 2011 championship as a fluke. As much as we hate Vancouver, they should have won that one.

I like the Blackhawks championship model of 2010. Puck control, fast and skilled. Covering all of the ice.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

So many line combinations.

Actions speak louder than words. It is clear that Feaster and Weisbrod do not feel Backlund and Nemiesz are NHL players. Those guys are done IMO.

Huh? That would be dumb. Hudler would be a GREAT mentor for Backlund. Nemisz was great in his callup. Did Ashawx hack your account or something?