Huds proving critics wrong

[Feldmarschall 9]

forget Hull and Luc. Hatcher was the ultimate sloooooooooooooooow motion guy

No kidding. That's why I had to say "for his size." Nobody could hope to compete with Hatch. Boogaard and Brashear could probably run circles around that pylon.

[Guest Crymson]

He's slow for his size, yeah, but so were Hull and Luc. It's not necessarily a huge disadvantage, even in the "new" NHL.

Realistically, Hull didn't even need to move; any motion he made in the offensive zone was purely for show.

Luc, I think, was a better skater than he is given credit for. He wasn't fast, but he was difficult to knock off his feet and was able to muscle his way into the right spots.

[eva unit zero 271]

Realistically, Hull didn't even need to move; any motion he made in the offensive zone was purely for show.

Luc, I think, was a better skater than he is given credit for. He wasn't fast, but he was difficult to knock off his feet and was able to muscle his way into the right spots.

Hudler is a good skater, and is far from slow.

No, he doesn't have the top gear of a guy like Kariya or Selanne. Guess what? Neither does Datsyuk. Dats has done ok for himself. Dats was also smaller than Hudler when he first joing the Wings.

[Guest Crymson]

Hudler is a good skater, and is far from slow.

No, he doesn't have the top gear of a guy like Kariya or Selanne. Guess what? Neither does Datsyuk. Dats has done ok for himself. Dats was also smaller than Hudler when he first joing the Wings.

If you refer to when Datsyuk was drafted, then yes, this is correct; his relative petiteness as compared to the average NHL player was a reason why he was picked late. The same went for Hank. However, Pavel entered the Wings` roster at 5'9", 190lbs. This is bigger than Hudler. Also, Pavel has some of the best hands in the league; Hudler does not.

In any event, we're not comparing Dats and Huds as they are, admittedly as apples and oranges (with apples being considerably better than oranges). Hudler does have his strengths.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

I really hope that we will have a line of Huds, Flip and Grigs(!!?) next season, i think it would be a very well balanced 3rd line for the wings with tremendous upside potential. Just my own preference mind you.

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

6 games is nothing to "prove critics wrong"

[Kp-Wings 3]

6 games is nothing to "prove critics wrong"

He's played well all season. This is only the first time it's really noticed though because he is getting something other than fourth line minutes and a seat from the bench.

[Airborn 0]

Hudler is a good skater, and is far from slow.

No, he doesn't have the top gear of a guy like Kariya or Selanne. Guess what? Neither does Datsyuk. Dats has done ok for himself. Dats was also smaller than Hudler when he first joing the Wings.

You're right, you don't have to have explosive skating ability to be successful, and Dats is proof of that. However, you are way off the mark on Hudler. He is far from a good skater. If you don't believe me (I am writing based off what I see) just read any scouting report on him.

If Hudler can improve to just average skating ability, he could be a star because of his instincts.

[eva unit zero 271]

He is far from a good skater. If you don't believe me (I am writing based off what I see) just read any scouting report on him.

From hockeysfuture:

"Hudler is a dazzling puckhandler who has a phenomenal offensive arsenal. He is a good skater with great foot speed which he uses to avoid opponents in the corners effectively."

Hmm...

[Airborn 0]

From hockeysfuture:

"Hudler is a dazzling puckhandler who has a phenomenal offensive arsenal. He is a good skater with great foot speed which he uses to avoid opponents in the corners effectively."

Hmm...

And this was updated when? This report was most likely written his draft year. I'd use something more recent to make my point, especially when it is clearly evident by watching him that he is not a good skater.

[The Enforcer 13]

Hudler has been playing better, and I think if he trains better and works on his skating, He will be a great replacement for draper.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Hudler has been playing better, and I think if he trains better and works on his skating, He will be a great replacement for draper.

I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon.

[theman19 47]

the kid is a pure goal scorer plain and simple, he's not especially gifted Defensivly or speed wise but he can flat out deke a goalie senseless and has a very accurate shot. It's not a bad thing, but he's my dark horse to have a good playoffs.

[Lazerbeam 13]

I would like to see hudler work on his BURST skating in the off-season, other than that I like how he has played with the little ice time he gets and I would love to see how he would do on a line with LANG and BERTUZZI, that could be interesting!

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Hmm...wonder what people have to say about Rez after tonights game???

According to Babcock, "Hudler played Fantastic."

WAY TO GO REX!!!

[Guest Crymson]

I know I defend Samuelsson, but I'd like to see the playoffs start with Sammy scratched in favor of Hudler.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I assume Mike Babcock said this (quoted from here):

"It's good for Huds, because Huds can score. If he can learn to back check and compete every single night, he can be a real good player."

A couple backhanded compliments for ya, Rex...

[norrisnick 1]

I assume Mike Babcock said this (quoted from here):

"It's good for Huds, because Huds can score. If he can learn to back check and compete every single night, he can be a real good player."

A couple backhanded compliments for ya, Rex...

That they are.

The quote was expanded a bit in an Mlive piece.

“Huds can score, and if he just learns to back-check and compete every night he can be a real good player,†Babcock said. “A lot of people talk about his skating; his skating’s fine if he works at it. To me, this guy has a chance to be a difference-maker and that’s what you need in this game, guys who can score and generate.â€Â

[Guest LivingtheDream]

Well, that is the one critic he has to get past - Babcock (referring to the quote by norrisnick, ""Hudes can score," Babcock said. "If he just learns to backcheck and compete every night, he could be a real good player.")

[Hank 0]

I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon.

Agreed. Two totally different kinds of players. Draper is all speed and no hands who is extremely effective as a PK player. Hudler, while having agile feet, has no straight ahead speed, great hands and great offensive instincts while still learning to be responsible in his own end (see PP specialist).

[eva unit zero 271]

And this was updated when? This report was most likely written his draft year. I'd use something more recent to make my point, especially when it is clearly evident by watching him that he is not a good skater.

You don't have to be blindingly fast to be a good skater.

Hudler is not blindlingly fast, but he is agile and has good balance.

Also...Jagr is generally considered one of the league's better skaters, and he is not terribly fast either. Not saying Hudler is Jagr, but skating ability is not the same as speed.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Prime example is Rico Fata, one of the if not the fastest skater in the NHL, #6 draft pick overall for the Flames in 98, now playing in Germany at the still young age of 27.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Prime example is Rico Fata, one of the if not the fastest skater in the NHL, #6 draft pick overall for the Flames in 98, now playing in Germany at the still young age of 27.

Ah yes. I remember him.

Ya know, I look back at it now, and he should still be playing for the Capitals. That team has absolutly no offensive depth, and earlier this season they cut Fata loose. He wasn't lighting it up, but he was still doing pretty good with them.

I wonder if he'll get another chance though. He's beginning to run out of teams to do it with.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Well the 'needs to work on his defence' guy now sits atop of the rookies +- chart with Pittsburgh's Stall on an impressive +16! Keep it going Huds

[norrisnick 1]

Well the 'needs to work on his defence' guy now sits atop of the rookies +- chart with Pittsburgh's Stall on an impressive +16! Keep it going Huds

There is a world of difference between a +16 on the Wings and a +16 with the Pens. Not to mention that Jordan has been the anchor for the Pens' PK from square one (his first 3-4 goals were all shorthanded and leads the league and set a rookie record for SHG).