Jiri Hudler Appreciation Thread - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Oling_Roachinen · 03-30-2015, 10:04 PM

Still a joke that he was left off the Czech Olympic team but a year and some later and he's making asses out of everyone involved in that decision.

Darkwater · 03-30-2015, 10:06 PM

I remember all the talk about how he was a bit one dimensional. Media was all over it. Jiri, you came here and absolutely took a leadership role. You are a Calgary Flame. Love it.

Go Jiri!!!

BigRed · 03-30-2015, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntenseFan

The most improved thing about his game this year is his willingness to go into tougher areas more than any other year I've seen him play. Gone is the primarily perimeter play that I saw from the last couple years. He's been getting knocked around a lot for his trouble, but it has actually improved his play overall. He knows more now where to pick the proper spot to head into a corner, or alternatively lie open a little further back.

Good show on his part.

I don't know if that's true. Right from the start of his time with the Flames I remember being surprised at how tenacious and gritty he was in corners and in front if the net. Not what I expected at all so it made an impression on me.

Whatever the case: we like Jiri Hudler.

CroFlames · 03-30-2015, 10:45 PM

He really tries in his interviews, very respectful to the reporters. Speaks to his character yet again in my opinion.

Whereas a lot of guys give the cookie cutter answer, he is trying to be insightful as he can I think, despite his English.

The Swedish Flame · 03-30-2015, 10:47 PM

Did this get posted yet?

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions 48 minför 48 minuter sedan
Pts Mar.BY FLAMES

9-91 FLEURY 24
93-94 ROBERTS 24
14-15 JIRI HUDLER 23
91-92 ROBERTS 23
90-91 MACINNIS 22

greentree · 03-30-2015, 10:50 PM

Hudler is a class act, and a great Calgary Flame.

calgarywinning · 03-30-2015, 11:10 PM

Why is this thread only three pages. One of the greatest pickups ever by the Flames management!!

Hugh Jahrmes · 03-30-2015, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubeyr1

So many people in the past have wanted to trade Hudler
..........
People talk about veteran leadership but rarely mention this guy. They yap about how great Stajan is with the young guys! Really? What has Stajan ever done for the young guys? Seriously? Hudler wants no recognition for what he has done but gets tonnes of it. I have yet to hear how Stajan has helped our rookies..
......
We struck gold with Hudler. 4 million bucks a year. Compare his point totals to other players around the league and their pay. Pure steal!

1) I'll admit I believe I even suggested moving him at the deadline last year, with intentions of gutting the roster to dive for mackinnon. I believe I had his value pegged at a first + great prospect which my friends laughed at, but I wouldn't have wanted him moved for less .. Complete fail on my part, extremely happy with Money, Poirer and Klimchuk from that draft. Moving Jiri now would take more than any team would be willing to give up I'm sure, and even with a ridiculous overpayment I can't see fans/management/the team being satisfied with the return.

2) This was my main reason for quoting you.. Hudler has been given props for a long time here, and has had a huge group of supporters as far as I can remember. He's been an integral part of our growth and success for 2 years now. Stajan on the other hand gets completely pooped on by fans, and imo his contributions are constantly downplayed by those who can't see past his stat line and EA sports NHL player rating. Beyond people saying he's a nice guy, and the support this site has shown during his family's loss, I have never seen Stajan hailed as a reason our rookies are doing so well; definitely not more so than Hudler.

3) Abso-fricken-lutely. Hud's a stud, baby!

expatflame · 03-30-2015, 11:39 PM

Hudler is one of my favorite Flames right now. He's the glue for that 1st line for sure.

StrykerSteve · 03-30-2015, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroFlames

He really tries in his interviews, very respectful to the reporters. Speaks to his character yet again in my opinion.

Whereas a lot of guys give the cookie cutter answer, he is trying to be insightful as he can I think, despite his English.

Such a great interview, wish he'd do more of them. He's well known to be the guy that doesn't exactly enjoy them, but you'd never know it by watching him.

DoubleF · 03-31-2015, 12:19 AM

I jumped the gun last year by declaring Hudler deserving of retiring a Flame, but I would definitely be very happy to see him a Flame for a long time.

calgarywinning · 03-31-2015, 02:19 AM

Hudler should deliver more pizza's!

Itse · 03-31-2015, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stemit14

Makes you wonder if Bennett will get the hudler treatment next season? Although it will be tough to break up that top line. Makes me also wonder if management will be looking for another veteran winger to bring in to either full in for hudler on that top line as he mentors Bennett or to keep that top line together while Bennett gets the new vet. Might not be a priority with so many young prospects knocking on the door.

It would not surprise me at all if he saw some time with Hudler for the reason you mention. Then again we actually have veteran wingers for every line in Hudler, Jones, Raymond and Bollig. Stajan, Backlund and "20 going on 30" Monahan will have a lot of advice to give as centers.

The team as a whole will be a lot more experienced starting next year. We have a great captain, well established system, great work ethic and solid coaching.

The team has no shortage of role models and mentors. Of course the team will always be looking for opportunities to upgrade the existing players, but I don't think mentoring is a reason to bring in more vets at this point. Plus the UFA market looks really thin.

expatflame · 03-31-2015, 07:10 AM

Interesting that Hudler is actually in the running for the Art Ross this year...albeit a long shot but only 8 points out!

Gaudfather · 03-31-2015, 08:23 AM

Jiri continues to be the pivot point and have the leadership role on the hottest line in the NHL right now. He's got Johnny laying out his body like he's Bouma possessed, Mony being the recipient of cheap shots because of his skills as a playmaker, but still maintains his poise - oh and Jiri himself has to be a shoe-in for the NHL 1st star for March.

What a great trio!

FlamesAddiction · 03-31-2015, 08:36 AM

He has been such a huge addition. I can't imagine how the rebuild would be going without him being part of it. For as much as people say you need to rebuild through the draft, adding key free agents from winning organizations helps a lot as well.

Quite a guy that he was willing to be a part of it.

troutman · 03-31-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroFlames

He really tries in his interviews, very respectful to the reporters. Speaks to his character yet again in my opinion.

Whereas a lot of guys give the cookie cutter answer, he is trying to be insightful as he can I think, despite his English.

I wonder if he avoids interviews not because of his English, but because he was burned by a reporter before. He is well spoken and has a great personality. By all accounts he is a real character in the dressing room.

tvp2003 · 03-31-2015, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRed

I don't know if that's true. Right from the start of his time with the Flames I remember being surprised at how tenacious and gritty he was in corners and in front if the net. Not what I expected at all so it made an impression on me.

Whatever the case: we like Jiri Hudler.

He's not the biggest guy but he's got that "old man" strength working for him. On the ice, he's just a solid, smart, skilled hockey player. Great complement to Monahan down the middle and Johnny on the other wing.

CroFlames · 03-31-2015, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

I wonder if he avoids interviews not because of his English, but because he was burned by a reporter before. He is well spoken and has a great personality. By all accounts he is a real character in the dressing room.

I don't remember this. What was the context?

Gaudfather · 04-01-2015, 10:28 AM

Good story by Wes Gilbertson today on Hud's great month of March.

Quote:

In fact, Hudler’s 23 points is the best month by any NHLer so far this season. Here’s a closer look at how it stacks up from a historical perspective ...

- It is the best month of Hudler’s career

By a lot, actually.

Prior to this superb stretch, Hudler’s previous high for points in a month was 15. That’s how many he had this past November.

Hudler scored his 15th point of March on the 21st, with five skates to spare.

Hudler has already established new career-highs with 29 goals, 42 assists and 71 points this season and has five more outings in April to add to that tally.

- It is the second-most productive month for a Flames player in two decades

Over the past 20 years, superstar Jarome Iginla is the only other Flames player to surpass 23 points before turning the calendar to the next page.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/03/31...soon-forgotten