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

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Since the Calgary Flames website has Jiri listed as a center I suspect they are planning on slotting him into center between Cammi and Iggy.

I would think that Cervenka will end up as the 2nd line center as they also have him listed as a center.

I wouldn't read too much into what the site has him listed as.

[Vinny01]

I think this was an okay signing not as pumped as some are in here but happy that the Flames scored one of the better UFA's at a good cap hit/term. I think it is great we got a Czech player to play with Cervenka as well.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I haven't read all 25 pages of posts but... I see the Calgary Flames website has Jiri listed as a center. Interesting.

His natural possition is center, he played center in the KHL and scored a PPG,Detroit mostly used him on wing because they used Datsyuk and Filppula as there top 2 centers, Hudler's was put into a wing role on the top 6 because of his skill set.

[cannon7]

Ok, so where does Hudler line up? For this kind of money you'd have to say the second-line RW.

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

You gotta pair Cervenka and Hudler, I think. Just a matter of who is the third man.

[Diverce]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Since the Calgary Flames website has Jiri listed as a center I suspect they are planning on slotting him into center between Cammi and Iggy.

I would think that Cervenka will end up as the 2nd line center as they also have him listed as a center.

I think Tangs-Cammy-Iggy will be the first line. And I really have no problem with Cammy as a center. Yeah he may not be the biggest guy, but he works hard, and I mentioned it before that when he moved to center he seemed so much more engaged in the game, he was all over the ice. On the wing he looks like he has a tendency to almost day dream. He covers his point man and doesn't really do much else. He was limited to his side. As a center he had a lot more space. And people mention his faceoffs, but it's not like he went home after the season and is twiddling his thumbs waiting for the season. Pretty sure he is working on his game as we speak.

Glencross-Cervenka-Hulder is what seems to be the consensus 2nd line around here.

Being listed as a center on the flames website I think is irrelevant at this point in time.

But like anything, will have to what and see come October to see what the lines are going to be.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Since the Calgary Flames website has Jiri listed as a center I suspect they are planning on slotting him into center between Cammi and Iggy.

Red Wings website also had him listed as a C even though he played strictly on the wing. If Hudler plays C, the Flames RW depth takes a huge hit.

Glencross would be 3rd line LW and Stempniak would be 2nd line RW... thats doesn't make much sense to me.

C: Cammalleri, Cervenka, Backlund, Stajan, Jones
LW: Tanguay, Glencross, Baertschi, Comeau, Bouma
RW: Iginla, Hudler, Stempniak, Jackman, Nemisz

If you move Hudler to C and Cammalleri to LW, that leaves Baertschi on the 4th line.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

We need either Dominic Moore or Jeff Halpern for faceoffs because I don't think we have even one guy that we can count on for even 50%.

That is if the Flames have any emphasis on faceoffs.

Well Stajan was at 51.8% last year...

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

It's fairly obvious Hartley intends to play an offensive creative style of hockey. Good to see.

Say what you will about the tenets of run-and-gun hockey, but at least it's an ethos. The Flames haven't really had a proper identity for some time. I think the top forwards respond much better to offensive hockey than whatever Brent was trying to achieve.

I also think this might be a good time to trade Kipper before his save percentage dips like during Keenan years and everyone starts speculating whether or not he's getting too old.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

We need either Dominic Moore or Jeff Halpern for faceoffs because I don't think we have even one guy that we can count on for even 50%.

That is if the Flames have any emphasis on faceoffs.

Sign Moore....you can always trade him for a second round pick at the deadline. At least for three of the last four years you could.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Sign Moore....you can always trade him for a second round pick at the deadline. At least for three of the last four years you could.

That's true!

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think this was an okay signing not as pumped as some are in here but happy that the Flames scored one of the better UFA's at a good cap hit/term. I think it is great we got a Czech player to play with Cervenka as well.

That in itself might almost be the most important part of the deal as I understand the Cervenka doesn't speak very much English and of course coming over here from Europe has got to be a major culture shock. Nothing helps the transition more than having a teamate/friend who know his way around and can speak both languages. Its tough enough being a rookie in the NHL without all the other stuff to contend with.... especially if you are isolated and alone language/culture wise.

[Barnission]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

I also think this might be a good time to trade Kipper before his save percentage dips like during Keenan years and everyone starts speculating whether or not he's getting too old.

Trade Kiprusoff for who?

[T@T]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Ok, so where does Hudler line up? For this kind of money you'd have to say the second-line RW.

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

You gotta pair Cervenka and Hudler, I think. Just a matter of who is the third man.

Crazy as it sounds, that looks like a talented set of forwards.Stajan should be in as well. Mark my words though,before Xmas Baertschi will be in the top 6.

[PeteLFan]

I think people are going to be in for a rude awakening if they think this team is going to just run and gun.

Hartley has responsible teams, the game starts with being a good defensive team and when we have the puck it will be a different type of attack.

This isn't the return if mike Keenan hockey folks. Obviously we want to be a potent team offensively, but it won't come by being a garbage team defensively.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Diverce

I think Tangs-Cammy-Iggy will be the first line. And I really have no problem with Cammy as a center. Yeah he may not be the biggest guy, but he works hard, and I mentioned it before that when he moved to center he seemed so much more engaged in the game, he was all over the ice. On the wing he looks like he has a tendency to almost day dream. He covers his point man and doesn't really do much else. He was limited to his side. As a center he had a lot more space. And people mention his faceoffs, but it's not like he went home after the season and is twiddling his thumbs waiting for the season. Pretty sure he is working on his game as we speak.

Glencross-Cervenka-Hulder is what seems to be the consensus 2nd line around here.

Being listed as a center on the flames website I think is irrelevant at this point in time.

But like anything, will have to what and see come October to see what the lines are going to be.

Cammy is not a big guy, but he is most effective in his office, which is the slot. He was trained a centre, and that shows in his game. Last year he was thrown into the centre position without any preparation. With a full offseason to prepare, we are going to see amazing things with Cammy in the centre position.

I'm excited to see what this Flames lineup can do. I may be in the minority, but I applaud Feaster for his moves and being a heavy buyer in the offseason.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Say what you will about the tenets of run-and-gun hockey, but at least it's an ethos. The Flames haven't really had a proper identity for some time. I think the top forwards respond much better to offensive hockey than whatever Brent was trying to achieve.

I also think this might be a good time to trade Kipper before his save percentage dips like during Keenan years and everyone starts speculating whether or not he's getting too old.

Yep, great post.

If they're going to go for it, might as well pull out all the stops and really go for it.

Get a second rate goalie, add another scorer and try to Philadelphia-west your way into the playoffs.

Hell, trade Bouwmeester, sign Semin, really load up.

I'm dead serious, too.

[Barnission]

Originally Posted by T@T

Crazy as it sounds, that looks like a talented set of forwards.Stajan should be in as well. Mark my words though,before Xmas Baertschi will be in the top 6.

I'll bet you 20 dollhairs.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Certainly a different type of player for the Flames to sign. I don't think Darryl Sutter ever would have signed a guy like Hudler as a UFA.

At this point I'm wondering if they won't offer Huselius a one year incentive laden contract.

Tanguay, Huselius, Cammalleri?

[Rerun]

I see the initial line combos as this:

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

Things may possibly change as we play a few games but I think this is what it will look like at the start.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Tanguay, Huselius, Cammalleri?

Outside of Tanguay round 2 all those players were traded for and not signed as UFA's