Jiri Hudler - Would you have played him more?

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

You might have a valid point if Hudler could actually skate like St.Louis, Sullivan, or Gionta.

He's nowhere near as bad as a skater as most make him out to be. In fact, he's improved big time skating wise, and defensively.

[Zata fan 40 6]

You might have a valid point if Hudler could actually skate like St.Louis, Sullivan, or Gionta.

Well, none of those guys have the shot Hudler does either.

[Heaton 1]

He's nowhere near as bad as a skater as most make him out to be. In fact, he's improved big time skating wise, and defensively.

He's a very good skater with the puck, without it not as much. He's no where near fast, he's an average skater at best which is a concern because of his size. I think he's made for the NHL because of his hockey sense, but even though he battles and goes hard to the net it really adds up to nothing when you can get man handled by teams like SJ. The last game he played in the playoffs he was rendered useless because he wasn't capable of battling through it, not because he wasn't trying, just because he couldn't.

Is that to say throughout his entire career he'll never be able to play against bigger opponents? Of course not, but at this stage in his career I don't think it would've been smart to put him in. Hudler with the right linemates could be dominant, hopefully he keeps working and he'll get to that level.

As for the original question, sure in the regular season he should've played a bit more, but everything seemed to work out and if he's signed I'd be willing to bet that he'd be given a bigger shot next season. He's going to be a very good player.

Well, none of those guys have the shot Hudler does either.

Yes they do.

Edited June 9, 2007 by Heaton

[StaticWithABeat 0]

I would've liked to have seen him get a game or two in the Anaheim series since the PP could've used any help it could get after Schneider went down, but his benching was for the best in an intense, grinding playoff atmosphere against big physical teams like SJ and Anaheim. Even Filppula looked like a boy amongst men out there a lot of the time - especially in the San Jose series - getting muscled off the puck and pushed around in the corners. I'd love nothing more than to see Hudler succeed and stick on the roster, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking "Small, light, mediocre skating ability...how many players matching that description ever have a lasting impact in the NHL?"

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Would we still be discussing this pointless topic if Hudler had bombed in

the regular season? No, all of us would have said unlucky kid, time to move on you got your chance. But because we all saw what he can do with his limited ice time, I get the feeling that alot on this forum are willing the guy on, to go out and improve his skating and make it hard for Babs to release him. Lets get real on here folks, Rex has got some great hands and like has been said, he knows where that net is and the truth of the matter is, the Wings got knocked out of the Cup because of the lack of goals. Yes, our play was verygood but Giggy was hot and our forwards as a whole couldn't get it done. Would Rex have made any

difference? Well we shall never know but with the Ice time Babs gave Kopecky was it worth bringing him in over Rex, No I don't believe it was.

Had Hudler gotten the chances that fell to some of his team mates we may be sitting here discussing another topic. The size thing is a poor excuse to use, the Wings drafted him and new what they were getting. For me I couldn't care if he was 5'6" 160lb, if he was scoring 25+ goals

a year, which given the chance and time he would do. For me 15 goals in his first full season with his limited time wasn't a bad return, for what was on mainly 4th line duties. The other side of the coin is, why have a 6'5" 230lb forward who can't score over someone who's smaller but can?

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I really think Hudler should be traded, he just doesnt fit anywhere. He played well enough in the regular season to up his trade value, so you have to take advantage of that. My hunch about him has always been that he'll end up on a bad team and be one of their top producers. Its just not going to work here though.

[Guest bullocks]

I really think Hudler should be traded, he just doesnt fit anywhere. He played well enough in the regular season to up his trade value, so you have to take advantage of that. My hunch about him has always been that he'll end up on a bad team and be one of their top producers. Its just not going to work here though.

I agree, he should be traded this off season maybe in a package for a top player.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I really think Hudler should be traded, he just doesnt fit anywhere. He played well enough in the regular season to up his trade value, so you have to take advantage of that. My hunch about him has always been that he'll end up on a bad team and be one of their top producers. Its just not going to work here though.

Ultimately I think you're right.

He's just not gonna get the ice time as long as Babs is here, and isn't really a critical part of the Wings future. If they could get something good for him in a trade, it's worth doing.

[dicksmack 33]

I was hoping they'd put Hudler in at the end. While Kopecky had an immediate impact, he seemed to fizzle after that--they might have given Huds a shot--the kid can get open and score. I saw him play a couple of times at the start and the end of the season, and I swear he gained a step in speed toward the tail end of the regular season; he fit right into the tempo of the game. He'll likely be given more of a chance next year. I noticed that around the league though, his ability to score with very limited ice time hasn't gone unnoticed--I hate to say it but perhaps we should see what his trade value would be. He might fit better with a bigger team. Put some big dudes with him and watch him go!

Edited June 10, 2007 by dicksmack

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I dont think you'll get anything great for him, as in any package the Wings would be willing to put up he'd more than likely be the best player in it. Im looking more at a quality 3rd liner type for him. I still look at someone like Mark Bell, whos a good player but had a bad year in SJ (and still has potential) and maybe they'd like to unload. Im just speculating, maybe they wouldnt even want Hudler, but thats the kinda guy i think would be really nice for us and something we could use Hudler for.

[Izzy24 44]

Would you have put Hudler in over Kopecky in the Ducks series?

Yes.

I agree , he may be small but he's proven that he can score at NHL level . I think he could get better if he was given more TOI.

I dont think you'll get anything great for him, as in any package the Wings would be willing to put up he'd more than likely be the best player in it. Im looking more at a quality 3rd liner type for him. I still look at someone like Mark Bell, whos a good player but had a bad year in SJ (and still has potential) and maybe they'd like to unload. Im just speculating, maybe they wouldnt even want Hudler, but thats the kinda guy i think would be really nice for us and something we could use Hudler for.

No way.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Yes.

No way.

Why's that? One bad year? He's the kinda guy you get value for if you believe in him. Before this season you could never have gotten Bell for Hudler.

[Izzy24 44]

Why's that? One bad year? He's the kinda guy you get value for if you believe in him. Before this season you could never have gotten Bell for Hudler.

So he sucked for the Sharks because they didn't believe in him? I think they didn't believe in him because he played terribly. Perhaps a change of scenery would change things around for him, but it's not a chance I would take.

[Kp-Wings 3]

I would declare Ken Holland for GM Conn Smyth if he traded Hudler for Bell. That would be an absolutly awesome trade. One bad year in San Jose doesn't mean anything. Bell was a top 10 draft pick in 1998 (#8 overall), he can score goals, and is an excellent physical force out there on the ice. He's not afraid to throw down the gloves and stick up for his team-mates either. Oh, that would be a great pickup if we could do it.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[Lou_Siffer 1]

So he sucked for the Sharks because they didn't believe in him? I think they didn't believe in him because he played terribly. Perhaps a change of scenery would change things around for him, but it's not a chance I would take.

No, christ, what im saying is because he had a bad year in SJ his value has been lowered. If you, the GM who has his eye on him, still believes he's the player he showed in Chicago it could be the chance to land him for much less than it'd wouldve taken before.

Kp- Yep i agree completely. I hate mentioning names in trade scenarios that have no source behind it, but its just a thought. We all know SJ isnt happy with him, I wish we could grab him.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

No way.

ksjdgksl!!

I have been wanting Mark Bell on the Wings for like the last 3-4 years now. How soon do people give up on someone after one off year? What's garbage to one team, is treasure for another. I think he'd be great in a Wings uni especially with the the type of system, and puck possesion type of hockey the Wings play.

Let's not kid ourselves here peeps.. Mark Bell is one hell of a hockey player and is a total package.

[Guest bullocks]

I dont think you'll get anything great for him, as in any package the Wings would be willing to put up he'd more than likely be the best player in it. Im looking more at a quality 3rd liner type for him. I still look at someone like Mark Bell, whos a good player but had a bad year in SJ (and still has potential) and maybe they'd like to unload. Im just speculating, maybe they wouldnt even want Hudler, but thats the kinda guy i think would be really nice for us and something we could use Hudler for.

that would be a great trade. now that's definitely the direction we need to go in

[Lou_Siffer 1]

ksjdgksl!!

I have been wanting Mark Bell on the Wings for like the last 3-4 years now. How soon do people give up on someone after one off year? What's garbage to one team, is treasure for another. I think he'd be great in a Wings uni especially with the the type of system, and puck possesion type of hockey the Wings play.

Let's not kid ourselves here peeps.. Mark Bell is one hell of a hockey player and is a total package.

I could almost copy and plaguerize this post for myself....

[OsGOD 3]

Huddles be th' best damn young sprog we 'ave on our crew. says I keep 'im 'n play 'im.... A lot!

[Guest bullocks]

ksjdgksl!!

I have been wanting Mark Bell on the Wings for like the last 3-4 years now. How soon do people give up on someone after one off year? What's garbage to one team, is treasure for another. I think he'd be great in a Wings uni especially with the the type of system, and puck possesion type of hockey the Wings play.

Let's not kid ourselves here peeps.. Mark Bell is one hell of a hockey player and is a total package.

would never happen str8 up for hudler tho...who did they trade for him tom preissing i think?

[Kp-Wings 3]

would never happen str8 up for hudler tho...who did they trade for him tom preissing i think?

Tom Preissing went to Ottawa, not Chicago.

The trade, as per TSN: In a three-way deal: Ottawa Senators traded Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski to the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks traded Tom Preissing and Josh Hennessy to the Ottawa Senators (via Chicago), Chicago Blackhawks traded Mark Bell to the San Jose Sharks and traded Michal Barinka and a 2nd round selection in 2008 to the Ottawa Senators.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

would never happen str8 up for hudler tho...who did they trade for him tom preissing i think?

yeah it was some 3-way involving preissing, bell, and havlat. But Bell's value is down, and Hudler's is up a little, thats why its kinda become more of an even trade. The fact SJ didnt dress him for a playoff games has to show they dont really like him much anymore, its a chance to snag him

[Heaton 1]

I dunno if Mark Bell is the total package, but he could be a physical presence for sure. I doubt he'll be anything higher than a 20 goal scorer on any good team though, you can't count on him for a ton of minutes because he's prone to take stupid penalties.

As for SJ taking Hudler for Bell, that wouldn't happen. The Sharks are going to do everything in their power to get players who will help fix what went wrong in the playoffs and I really don't think Hudler fits that mold. They need defense, not smaller forwards.

FYI, Mark Bell is an example of what went wrong for SJ in the playoffs, bar none their worst player.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Heaton

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

would never happen str8 up for hudler tho...who did they trade for him tom preissing i think?

I don't want Huds traded. I just want Bell on the Wings. Obviously that would have to happen via trade...but yeah I want Rex to stay so I don't know.

[Offsides 21]

I would not want Bell. And I would definitely not want him for Huddles....

Hmmmm