Peleshob

I think the second unit is going to look like a Mule with two Finns... Mulefinn. As far as Hudler being a good playmaker, agreed. And while I do think some of Flip's post-season assists were inflated because of who he got to play with, I also think he showed improvements. I get so frustrated when he enters the zone, stops at the right playoff dot, and throws the puck away. In the playoffs he showed some better puck protection and better decision making, IMO. I don't think anyone should underestimate Leino, as well. The guy looked good even on the 4th lines. It remains to be seen if he can remain healthy and consistent, but I'm still pumped to see what he can do. The guy seems to go to the net hard for someone who's so small.

You didn't prove anything, IMO. Jiri Hudler getting 57 points playing on a third line doesn't mean he would get more on a first line. And saying that 4 guys on the PK is equal to playing the top guys on another team at even strength is absurd. There's a reason it's called the powerplay. On the power play it's much more likely that Hudler's flaws won't be exposed because he's not being as pressured. You can throw all the stats out you want, in the end assuming that he would score that many points on another team is hypothetical. I know me saying that he won't is the same thing, but at least I'm saying I don't know what would happen as opposed to, "Jiri Hudler is a first line player on 'X' number of teams. When it comes down to it can you deny that Hudler was pretty much smothered all post-season? He was shown to be ineffective in the corners when pressured. Jiri Hudler is a good player, but he is a second line player.

Which is all fine and good. But don't you think Hudler's numbers could be a little higher because of the team he plays on too? The Rags aren't exactly an explosive offensive team. Most of their winning was on the shoulders of a defensive game focusing on Lundqvist's ability. They don't really have quality offensive d-men (you could argue that maybe Rozsival is) and their offense was underwhelming as a whole. It hasn't really been proven that Huds can handle 20+ minutes a night, which is what he'd be required to do as a first line player. Throwing out statistics of guys on an offensively disappointing team isn't going to do much in the way of convincing anyone that Jiri is a capable first line player.

Of all the teams you named I think the only one where he might legitimately deserve to be on the first line is the Islanders. Hudler doesn't have the speed to be a top line player. He's got great hands and a decent ability to find open players, but he gets himself muscled off the puck far too often. I liked what I saw for awhile with him while he worked the corners. He was a bit Dastyuk-like with his stick-handling ability but in the playoffs he just got destroyed. Like I said, he's a good player and would be a solid addition to Detroit's second line, but I don't think he's a first line player in the NHL.

The whole US team was brutal, to be honest. He was getting beat on a lot of 2nd and 3rd chances too. Fleury wasn't exactly great in his World Juniors when Canada won silver and look at him now. I think people can put too much stock in what happens at the WJ's (not you, just people in general). I watched all the playoffs games against Windsor and he was actually pretty sharp, moreso in the 3rd and 4th games. He can be clutch, but like the article says, he needs to slow his game down a bit. Rely more on the angles than his reflexes.

I think Larsson is actually the guy to watch out for, with McCollum right behind him. Larsson came into his first year with Grand Rapids last season and played just as good, if not better than Howard. His biggest issue is conditioning, and once he overcomes that he's going to be a good goaltender. I think McCollum is in a similar place. If he can going into the AHL next season and put together a good season, I think he'll be able to ride the confidence.

At this point, I do not care... if Jiri Hudler is on this team come October, awesome... if not... awesome. He's not as good or as bad as the extremists are making him out to be. He couldn't play on anyone's first line, btw... he's a good player, but he's not that good.

I'm pretty sure he spent all last season in the AHL. He split the time between the Toronto Marlies and Hartford Wolf Pack.

He's going to make the cap hit look very good. I'm shocked they got him for so little, but he has had his fair share of issues, so who knows. This made me lol

Don't do it Keeeenny... noooo. And to the people bashing Holland... Praise Holland or GTFO... It's like saying **** or GTFO, except it's a lot easier to see. Holland = Great GM for fun.

It's not even so much that I don't like Lebda... I think he's definitely gotten better over time. I just dislike the constant rushes into the offensive zone where he produces absolutely nothing, turning the puck over and having to get back on defense. With Meech I think we have a similar player for about 200K less. At this point we need all the cap space we can get. Plus, I see Meech as a guy who's more comfortable with having less minutes and more of a utility player. He's an RFA after next season, too.

San Jose will move one of Thornton or Marleau. IMO, they should move Thornton. If this post-season showed me anything it's that Thornton truly is the invisible man. I could see Toronto looking to pick him up, and they don't have to worry about him sucking in the playoffs because, well... they don't make the post-season .

At this point I'd just like for the team to pick up one grinder. I don't think they're in as much trouble offensively as some people think. I'd be very happy with: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Clearly/Leino Abdelkader-Helm-Leino/Clearly Maltby-Draper-Grier Scratch: Oulahen Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lebda/Lilja-Ericsson Scratch: Meech Lebda gets moved for a pick and clears a bit of room on the cap if Lilja doesn't go on LTIR. If Lilja is healthy, I think Lebda should be moved.

Well that's all fine and good IF he only wanted to play for Detroit. In the NHL Hudler only wants to play for Detroit, but in the whole world it would seem that he wants to play for Dynamo for 5 Million. At this point I think it would be awkward for Huds to stay in Detroit. I can see where he'd get a little pissy because Babcock has mismanaged his ice time, IMO... but I also think that he should known will all of these guys moving to other places that he was going to get more ice time. He should have just snubbed the KHL and gone on with the arbitration as planned. Now... I personally hope for a sign-and-trade. It's not that I've got much against Hudler, but who wants a guy who doesn't wanna play for your team? I really don't, and I hope they get some kind of compensation for him.

I don't think a sign and trade is as impossible as some people think. The Red Wings are a loyal organization to those who are loyal to them. Hudler threw that one out the window when he made his intentions to go to the KHL known. Edit: Now Hudler's the one who stuck under a bus. If he's really smart he'll sign a low contract that Kenny and co. offer him instead of playing for a higher amount of money to a bottom feeding team. He brought this on himself.

To be honest I was waiting for you to pop in, lol. I figured you'd know too. I'd prefer the Wings to accept the offer and then move him. The only way he goes to the KHL is by becoming an UFA and then we get nothing for him. It might sound like a dick move, but so is leaving the organization and giving us nothing in return.

I'm almost positive that rule pertains to offer sheets, not arbitration. "If the original team chooses to accept, or “match†the offer sheet, the player cannot be traded for one year. "

I'm not saying you're wrong, but everything I've read points to the contrary. I've read over the CBA explanation on arbitration and nowhere did I read that a player cannot be traded after being awarded an arbitration contract. I've seen other topics on other sites discussion how Zherdev (also in arbitration) would likely be moved if/when the Rangers accepted his arbitrated contract. Do you have a link to where it says a player cannot be traded after a club accept arbitration? I just want to get this whole thing understood for good. Edit: I think you may be thinking about player and offer sheets, not arbitration. "If the original team chooses to accept, or “match” the offer sheet, the player cannot be traded for one year. "

I agree with this. I posted something in another thread ranking the lead hitting UFA's of last year and Grier led the pack with 190 something projected hits. The guy hits anything he sees. I'm down with Grier for sure. PS: Except for Datsyuk

Bummer. He was one of the guys I had pegged as a "Drake-like" player that we could pick up.

No because of how injury prone he is, but he also said that he'd never play for Detroit because of the rivalry. I believe him too, unlike Chelios, lol.

I dunno why but when I scrolled down to "Callahan is not having a strong day" I lol'd. Good to hear the prospects are looking good, though.

If I remember correctly, he had a lot of work ethic problems. That being said, if he's past them... he and Datsyuk would put on quite the show.

Man... he's acting like a chick who got dumped on Valentine's Day.

I don't believe you. You're screwing with my childhood. I refuse to put the VHS tape in the VCR.