Hudler yes or no depending on his linemates. He won't elevate other people's game but he can elevate his game to top line minutes if he were playing with legitimate first line players like Crosby, Stamkos, Toews, Getzlaf etc.
I would argue that Hudler can and does elevate his linemates games - look at Gaudreau's stats with and without Hudler, as well as how well Granlund has looked next to him.
Hudler doesn't get enough credit IMO. Is he a franchise/all star level player, no. But he is a very good hockey player - and IMO a "first line guy"
Think of the argument people make about a "top line centre" where guys in the 20-30 range for scoring/icetime for centres are not often considered by people to be "top line centres" as their idea of that category is more of an elite guy.
In a 30 team league, 30 guys can feasibly be top line forwards, and whilst Hudler would be behind elite wings like Kane, he would be, on many teams in the league based on his form, a part of their top line
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It was a jab at bitter and jealous fans of rival teams who (prior to the beginning of this season) would say things like "He'll be flattened like a pancake by big NHL d-men" and "Yea, but he'll never pull off those slick moves against NHL defenders".
It was a jab at bitter and jealous fans of rival teams who (prior to the beginning of this season) would say things like "He'll be flattened like a pancake by big NHL d-men" and "Yea, but he'll never pull off those slick moves against NHL defenders".
Oh ok. I wasn't paying much attention to hockey before this season, sorry!
Watching Gaudreau pull off all his moves makes me excited for our future. I'm surprised they haven't translated to more goals yet.
This isn't a black and white answer either. Pascal Dupuis is a first line player due more to circumstance and is elevated playing with the best player on the planet. I don't see him as a top line player. Same goes for Belesky or the numerous other players who have played with Getzlaf and Perry. Some teams have top line players on the second line and some teams dont even have them on their top line. For the most part we know who are true top line players. Then there are some who could be debated but as I said it's not black or white, it's opinion.
I would argue that Hudler can and does elevate his linemates games - look at Gaudreau's stats with and without Hudler, as well as how well Granlund has looked next to him.
Hudler doesn't get enough credit IMO. Is he a franchise/all star level player, no. But he is a very good hockey player - and IMO a "first line guy"
Think of the argument people make about a "top line centre" where guys in the 20-30 range for scoring/icetime for centres are not often considered by people to be "top line centres" as their idea of that category is more of an elite guy.
In a 30 team league, 30 guys can feasibly be top line forwards, and whilst Hudler would be behind elite wings like Kane, he would be, on many teams in the league based on his form, a part of their top line
I agree. Hudler has been the offensive engine up front for this team and doesn't get enough credit around the league for how skilled he is. Plus he has been a perfect leader for the kids over this rebuild. He seems legitimately happy to be on this team playing with young players. Who would have thought he would be this valuable to the team at this point?
That's why when teams come looking for trades at the deadline this season or at the draft I hope hudler isn't moved... He seems to have a great influence on all the young guys... And we know that is super valuable based on that train wreck of a team in edmonton. It would have to be a crazy good return that few teams would ever agree to for me to be happy with the trade. Like if Anaheim comes looking (cause I could see them wanting a scoring winger this year)... I would need Ritchie+ to make that trade happen. Even then I would be unsure if it's worth it. That's how good he has been for this rebuild so far.
Well neither of them are first line players because Glencross and Jones are our first line wingers..... refute it lol
I think Johnny and Hudler are our most talented current wingers and have to be considered our top line guys. They may not play the most minutes but that's because of the team identity. This team works together and shoulders the load with every line and plays a great defensive game that leads to offense. So yes, I think Gaudreau and Hudler or first line guys.
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