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

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Captain_Obvious

Uh, 3rd line?

Feaster has spoken highly of Backlund.

What you're saying isn't impossible, but it's far from the way you're trying to make it sound like a foregone conclusion.

So the new re-signed Comeau sits up in the press box?

[trew]

Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin

I really can't see the flames putting cammalleri at center now. Sure he can play it but he's not a better option then Hudler.

I would be surprised if Hudler and Cervenka are on different lines given that Cervenka doesn't speak much English and Hudler will help with communication on that line.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Avs pay 29 y/o Paranteau 4m x 4yr and it's a great signing. Flames sign 28 y/o, more proven, Hudler for 4m x 4yr - and it's moronic.

People sure are silly.

"People" as a general mass don't have opinions, only individuals do.

I think it's rarely a good idea to comment on the posters rather than the topic itself. It makes for crappy reading and crappy arguments.

Not everyone liked Hudler when he was with Detroit. You can't expect them just to do a total 180 the second he signs with Calgary.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Captain_Obvious

Uh, 3rd line?

Feaster has spoken highly of Backlund.

What you're saying isn't impossible, but it's far from the way you're trying to make it sound like a foregone conclusion.

Actually hasn't Feaster been ripping Backlund's consistent compete level in the media recently, and talking about how he needs to be better?

Which to me is a sure sign he's not going anywhere. You pump up your assets your want to move, you don't slam them. Feaster appears to be on a full "motivate" Backlund kick.

[kn]

Where are the big bruising forwards on Detroit? They play a skilled, skating, puck possession game. If you are always in control of the puck, and move it quickly, then there's little time for the opposition to get in on the forcheck.

I like the direction this team is heading in terms of playing an up-tempo game with skill. Hudler fits this model and I can't see him being anything but successful as a second line RWer with powerplay time.

I wasn't huge on the Stempniak signing but having him as our third line RWer is fabulous depth.

I'm not a fan of #fore but he does fit in better into a puck possession, skating, up tempo game. I think trading him now will create a huge hole on the backend.

The only concern I have (and it has been an organizational problem for years) is top six centers. Backlund and Stajan are not the answer, squid is fine but small, and Cervenka is unproven. I'm not sure much can be done to address this other than through a trade.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Hudler contract comparables from CapGeek:

http://www.capgeek.com/comparables.php?player=287

[Phanuthier]

Catching up on history...

- whats the story on the year Hudler bolted to the KHL?
- whats the story on his concussion history?
- someone mentioned something about Hudler being small and "his teammates know it" - is there some sort of story behind this?

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

So the new re-signed Comeau sits up in the press box?

So let me get this straight...

This signing to you sets our opening night roster in stone and Backlund is the odd man out?

Again, it's not impossible, but the way you seem to have arrived at this conclusion like it's a near certianty you're seeing that no one else is is strange.

The logical assumption seems to be a top six of:

Tanguay - Cammalleri - Iginla
Glencross - Cervenka - Hudler

(mix and match how you'd like)

How does this seem to automatically bounce Backlund from the third line where most people project him to play?

Just not seeing the dots line up the same way you're automatically connecting them.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Catching up on history...

- whats the story on the year Hudler bolted to the KHL?

From what I've heard more or less the same as Giordano

[flames_1987]

I'd like to speculate on Backlund and the rest of the roster, but it's still not clear what this team is going to look like on July 2nd. I don't think Backlund is let go though but he's far from a sure thing right now on this roster. We shall see

[Jake]

I like the added skill, but dislike the contract length. The cap hit is ok, not a steal, but not unreasonable.

The Flames are definitely a better team on paper this year. The team has a vastly improve offense, with potentially three lines that can all chip in.

I think we have one or two extra forwards... I was hoping for a couple of fourth line spots to be saved for Bouma, Nemisz, Aliu, Byron etc. Where does everyone fit in?

[Phanuthier]

I know I watched a lot of Hudler in Detriot, but I never really followed position or anything - was he exclusively on wing? I wonder if there is any interest to try him at C?

[zamler]

Originally Posted by tomo

What do we have left for cap space? Is Feaster done?

Feaster always has room for more.

Anyhoo, I like this signing, quality player for a reasonable price. Dare I say, the Calgary Flames are starting to look....good?

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Where does Backlund even fit in?

Forwards ahead of him are:
Iginla
Cammy
Glencross
Tanguay
Hudler
Sven
Czervenka
Stempniak

That makes him forward #9 at best.

Jones, Bouwma, and Jackman will be line #4.

That leaves Horak, Backlund, Comeau, Nemisz, etc.... For that last spot. Something does not add up.

Comeau and Nemisz are wingers, so I don't see them making Backlund expendable. Basically Backlund will have to beat out Horak in camp for the 3rd line centre spot and if he happens to lose that battle he'll probably be the 17th forward to start the season. This is assuming of course Feaster doesn't bring in another centre before camp.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by zamler

Feaster always has room for more.

Anyhoo, I like this signing, quality player for a reasonable price. Dare I say, the Calgary Flames are starting to look....good?

They've always looked good

[FlamesAddiction]

It helps make up for some of the skill we lost by letting Jokinen go.

It never hurts adding a player from a winning organization as well.

[Ashasx]

I'm really less interested in signings now and just want to see some trades.

[Machiavelli]

I'd say Nemisz is a very long shot to make the team.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I know I watched a lot of Hudler in Detriot, but I never really followed position or anything - was he exclusively on wing? I wonder if there is any interest to try him at C?

Always a winger in my memory. They had Filppula as their third line center before this past season when they were both second-line wingers. But it's not like Hudler is a player you really pay attention to, so maybe he did play some center at some point. Anyway he's terrible at faceoffs, apparently.

[LiquidX]

Originally Posted by Miniac

Likely going to see something like this in the fall.

Alex Tanguay / Mike Cammalleri / Jarome Iginla
Curtis Glencross / Roman Cervenka / Jiri Hudler
Sven Baertschi / Mikael Backlund / Lee Stempniak
Blake Comeau / Blair Jones / Tim Jackman

Extras - Matt Stajan & Lance Bouma

Looking at that lineup, I see a lot of guys who can move between lines 1/2 and 2/3 - so lots of different looks are possible. I wouldn't be too surprised to see Glencross pushed out of the top 6 if they get juggled. Any of Stajan, Backlund, or Baertschi (assuming they're with the team when october rolls around) might be a better fit. And I think it's safe to say that Cervenka is still a big question mark - the NHL is a higher calibur league with a harder schedule - anything could happen with this guy.

Also, as much as I would like to believe it, I'm not certain Baertschi is a lock for the team this year.

Flames could still use to get a bit bigger up the middle too, but I don't see any real avenues for improvement there - not for the top 2 lines anyways.