[Rumour] Friedman: Flames aggressive in trade market. Getting calls on Hudler.

[OutOfTheCube]

I wouldn't trade him? Why do that? Then we'll just be saying we need to find a decent UFA vet to develop chemistry with the young guys on the top line.

Draft picks and prospects are great but I feel that Calgary is past the point of needing to stockpile them. Hudler is a great player for this team right now.

If they regress next season and are well out of a playoff spot at the trade deadline, that would be the time to look at a trade.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

If they regress next season and are well out of a playoff spot at the trade deadline, that would be the time to look at a trade.

That's dependent on us sucking next year though. I don't see us suddenly deciding to be so bad that we're out of the running by the deadline.

It's better for Treliving to deal him now in the offseason so that whoever's replacing him on Johnny/Mony's line can build some chemistry with the two and the team can start the season and build chemistry without him. If you start the season with Hudler and we're in the hunt come deadline time, it'd put Treliving in a very awkward spot. He can deal Hudler from the asset management angle but that might jeopardize the playoff run. Or he can go with the playoff run and let Hudler walk for nothing.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I wouldn't trade him? Why do that? Then we'll just be saying we need to find a decent UFA vet to develop chemistry with the young guys on the top line.

Draft picks and prospects are great but I feel that Calgary is past the point of needing to stockpile them. Hudler is a great player for this team right now.

If they regress next season and are well out of a playoff spot at the trade deadline, that would be the time to look at a trade.

I'd ask why you think we're past that stockpiling stage when Treliving has said publicly it's exactly where we are.

Our prospect pool is getting better and better, but we just graduated our best two prospects (bennett and gaudreau). So now if you're looking at it, we don't really have any sure-fire high-end prospects. Poirier looks like the best of the group, and then we have a number of depth forwards and nearly no defensive prospects worth mentioning (Hickey may be one worth watching though).

[Badgers Nose]

Although oblike Hudler, I'm in the camp that says Hudler benefited from playing with his linemates perhaps more so than they did playing with him.

I also agree that Treliving is getting his ducks in a row for the draft, so that they have max options open.

He really makes me confident in the future. And it's great to hear how aggressive the Flames are at making the team better. Best of all, this is not his bluster. He's got people talking.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by browna

Said it before, Hudler's been fantastic this year and really the catalyst for the first line...and the first line was the catalyst for the team results most games.

But the main issue is that the Flames don't have control over him past this year...just as much, he's an ideal player, historically and of course last season, to be that second line player for a team that thinks they're a contender and thinks they just need that extra scoring talent to push them over the edge and into the second and third rounds.

If that type of player can be had at the outset of the season for another team, not just a end of Feb trade line-onwards, he'll command a top price, as not too many players find themselves on teams in the Flames situation (a rebuilding team but a team that had legit success out of the blue, with him being front and center)...and his fantastic play and production last year caught a lot of attention.

Ideally, the Flames get a decent round pick, but also a NHL skilled player that will eventually mature into Hudler, just needs the right amount of ice time to develop some more. For now, said player is a bit cheaper, younger, and comes with 3 years left on a contract.

Hard to do it. But you are probably right. I was a huge fan over last couple years when he showed true disgust when they lost games even when they were expected to lose. Helps make kids know its not ok to lose. And seems to be a great leader and role model.

Huge production this year and he had a tough time vs big opponents.

[heep223]

I will be really sad if Hudler gets traded, and it'll leave a huge hole at an already thin position.

That being said I would understand why he's being traded and would be ecstatic with another 1st rounder this year. Two firsts, three seconds and two thirds? After a very successful season? In a very deep draft? Good lord.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I'd ask why you think we're past that stockpiling stage when Treliving has said publicly it's exactly where we are.

Which is a poor line of thinking. This is a playoff team that went to the second round and are entertaining trading the leading scorer? Why aren't we talking about an extension?

Or are we simply accepting all the 'unsustainable!' people were correct, this team was playing way over it's head and is actually bad, and will not be any good next season, so it's better to stay in re-build mode?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Which is a poor line of thinking. This is a playoff team that went to the second round and are entertaining trading the leading scorer? Why aren't we talking about an extension?

Or are we simply accepting all the 'unsustainable!' people were correct, this team was playing way over it's head and is actually bad, and will not be any good next season, so it's better to stay in re-build mode?

When the Flames are ready to challenge for the cup - Hudler isn't likely to be part of the core. It is about balancing what he can bring you in the short-term with what you can get from him for the long-term. If the latter exceeds the former - you have to consider it.

[BrownDrake]

I wouldn't mind seeing him traded, sell high, he likely gets a 5 or 6 year deal next over 6 million per, too much for us with the guys we have to sign over the next couple of years.

The way he looks over his shoulder on the forecheck and never gets the puck or body position kills a lot of possession time for that line. I think that lines needs someone with size and speed - someone who can get in on the forecheck and create havoc and turnovers. Ferland/Poirier in 2 to 3 years but need a filler for the meantime.

[GreenLantern]

If they can't work out a reasonable extension that both sides are happy with then absolutely trade him. His value will never be higher than it is right now. Treliving can hold back up to 50% of his salary as well right?

[Itse]

To compete for the cup, we probably need at least one more top-grade veteran winger MORE compared to what we have now, assuming our kids keep developing well. I'm worried that just replacing Hudler would prove to be borderline impossible, as UFA's generally speaking will still rather sign in California or East Coast. We essentially struck gold with Hudler.

If we trade Hudler for picks and prospects, we'll lose the only high-skilled veteran forward on the team, so who are the next batch of rookies going to learn from? Gaudreau?

I think the playoffs again also showed that in tough spots it's mostly veterans who lead the way and turn tides.

Besides, Hudler is only 31. With his style, he could still easily play a top level game for 3-4 years and a 40-50 point game until he's 40.

Of course it all depends on how you see what we have. If the management in it's analysis secretly agrees with media pundits that last season was mostly a fluke, then yeah, you try to cash out by selling.

Or if you get a serious overpayment.

[oldschoolcalgary]

i think you do your due diligence as BT.

Listen to the offers... why not.

but if you don't get a first rounder min return, i'd keep Huds and revisit either re-signing him, or revisiting the trade market at next year's trade deadline.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Sell high on Hudler.

That's what separates the wheat from the chaff among NHL GMs.

I would like to see some examples of the best GMs in the league dealing veterans for futures. Especially their leading scorer. Ken Holland do it ? Yzerman dealt St Louis because he requested it.

What about the effect on morale with the young players ?

I'll wait patiently for Tinordi to provide examples and not just drive by as usual

[jeffman]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Sell high on Hudler.

That's what separates the wheat from the chaff among NHL GMs.

Retaining key veterans like Hudler has been what separates us from the Oilers this year

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Itse

To compete for the cup, we probably need at least one more top-grade veteran winger MORE compared to what we have now, assuming our kids keep developing well. I'm worried that just replacing Hudler would prove to be borderline impossible, as UFA's generally speaking will still rather sign in California or East Coast. We essentially struck gold with Hudler.

If we trade Hudler for picks and prospects, we'll lose the only high-skilled veteran forward on the team, so who are the next batch of rookies going to learn from? Gaudreau?

I think the playoffs again also showed that in tough spots it's mostly veterans who lead the way and turn tides.

Besides, Hudler is only 31. With his style, he could still easily play a top level game for 3-4 years and a 40-50 point game until he's 40.

Of course it all depends on how you see what we have. If the management in it's analysis secretly agrees with media pundits that last season was mostly a fluke, then yeah, you try to cash out by selling.

Or if you get a serious overpayment.

What if trading him allows us to potentially move up in the draft? Something to think about!

[edslunch]

The Flames are in such a good position - good young players on the team, decent prospect depth, loads of picks, attractive veterans, cap space, great culture - so many options for making this a transformative year for the franchise

[BrownDrake]

Hudler is not taking a 2 or 3 year deal coming off the season he had. He is 31 and will be looking for a contract that takes him to 36 - 37 at least, probably 6+ per year. Skilled guy that was top 10 in scoring. We can afford that in the next few years but can't in year 4,5 & 6. Would you sign him to an 8 year deal that gets his cap hit to the low 5's or high 4's, I wouldn't.

Its a great position for the Flames to be in, we signed a guy like Hudler for nothing now he shows what he can do and recoup assets for free. He is a great teammate and mentor, unless he wants to stay on a 2-3 year deal we can't afford him.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by jeffman

Retaining key veterans like Hudler has been what separates us from the Oilers this year

I partly agree with your point but we have to consider we may only have so many chances to get another first or top 10.

[Caged Great]

The likely term that Hudler is wanting is also going to be the killer. Treliving has said that they don't want to get bogged down by bloated term contracts. I believe that is part of the reason they walked away from Cammalleri as they didn't want to give him 5 years. I wouldn't want Hudler on a 5+ year deal, and he is going to want that. I would, anyone would if you were in that situation.

The problem is that what do you do with him? Do you keep him and let him walk at the end of the year for nothing? What happens if the Flames are firmly in a playoff spot or are in a dog fight like this past season? Do you trade him and risk losing out on a playoff spot?

Addressing it now would allow the Flames the flexibility to try and fix the hole that would be created by his departure.

[Finger Cookin]

Brodie's a key component of this team and didn't get extended for 5+ seasons. I could see Hudler accepting a shorter term deal if he likes the situation here and understands the organizations need for flexibility as his young linemates come up for contract renewals.