Jiri Hudler - Would you have played him more?

[Lou_Siffer 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.

But he had a bad year all along with SJ, for whatever reason it just didnt work. But he's the kinda guy that showed alot in Chicago and under the right situation could be pretty darn good. The main point here is really that Bell's value to the Sharks has gone down so much that it wouldnt take as much to land him as it wouldve in Chicago. I think he's the perfect kinda guy to take a run at. If they actually took Hudler for him, then its a no brainer. If not, I still dont think it'd take all that much. I do agree that the Sharks need defense, but i dont think Bell will get them what they need in that area.

[eva unit zero 271]

People talk about Filppula being an offensive force in the playoffs.

FACT: Hudler had a better point-per-game ratio than Filppula in the postseason.

Another misconception: Hudler is slow.

Hudler is not slow. He's not as fast as Sergei Fedorov, but he's closer to Fedorov speed than he is to Jason Allison speed. He has amazing vision, great hands, and a rocket shot. He is never going to win the Selke, but he is NOT a defensive liability. He is a small player, but he is tenacious and gritty. He will drive the net and work the corners, even though he is small.

It was a mistake of Babcock's NOT to play Hudler more than he did. Was it the difference in the Anaheim series? Doubtful. But having more offensive talent instead of physical presence couldn't have been a bad thing in a series where the Wings had trouble scoring and not trouble dealing with the physical game.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

But having more offensive talent instead of physical presence couldn't have been a bad thing in a series where the Wings had trouble scoring and not trouble dealing with the physical game.[/font]

And this equates to putting him in over who?

If you're saying Kopecky, I dont feel he was much of a physical presence at all

[eva unit zero 271]

And this equates to putting him in over who?

If you're saying Kopecky, I dont feel he was much of a physical presence at all

Kopecky in the Anaheim series, Calder in the earlier rounds would have been the guy I took out.

Samuelsson also would have been out before Hudler--he played better in the playoffs than the regular season but I felt Hudler was more effective in less time.

[croaker 0]

Some small players do well in the NHL. Sullivan and Theo Flury are a couple of examples. Sullivan has blazing speed and Flury had grit/fire. Both of these players are not afraid to go to the net.

Hudler is a small and slow player that has skills. He knows where to be, and can pass the puck.

IMO, I doubt if Yuri will ever be an impact player. He looks timid out there in the sea of giants. And his lack of grit and speed will keep him on the fringe of being a regular.

Now, if he had the speed and skill of Samsonov, well, then that would be different.

I agree with most of this. Hudler is not a bad player but he would have been physically dominated on tehboards by the big Duck forwardds....and he is too timid to go in against the banger-type d-man. Not bad in the regular season....but in the playoffs where the refs go to sleep, he would get run.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

[/font]

Kopecky in the Anaheim series, Calder in the earlier rounds would have been the guy I took out.

Samuelsson also would have been out before Hudler--he played better in the playoffs than the regular season but I felt Hudler was more effective in less time.

Cant argue with that, i'd have put Hudler in over all of those guys you mentioned. I kinda feel Kopecky's physical play is more of a myth at this point, i seen maybe one or two moments out of him but he hasnt been impressive at all to me. Calder i didnt like when we got him. Played hard at first with a new team and then that was that.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Lou_Siffer

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Calder i didnt like when we got him. Played hard at first with a new team and then that was that.

Calder was fantastic the second the Wings got him up until the first round of the playoffs in which there was speculation he broke his hand. Holland said that wasn't the case, but I still feel that someone's not saying something. It could be behind the scenes type of thing that went on that no one knows about because I really don't buy that all of a sudden Calder's play went downhill. Doesn't make sense at all especially with how very well he was playing prior to it.

[Guest bullocks]

Calder was fantastic the second the Wings got him up until the first round of the playoffs in which there was speculation he broke his hand. Holland said that wasn't the case, but I still feel that someone's not saying something. It could be behind the scenes type of thing that went on that no one knows about because I really don't buy that all of a sudden Calder's play went downhill. Doesn't make sense at all especially with how very well he was playing prior to it.

i'm pretty sure it came out that he had a broken finger

hudler for raffi torres?

[Kp-Wings 3]

hudler for raffi torres?

Gah! You're dreaming red ink if you think Kevin Lowe would actually be crazy enough to do that trade straight up. A pick would have to be thrown in there or something.

Torres has a hell of a lot more potential then Hudler. Hudler probably has a slight edge in skill, but Torres has size, grit, and a much better defensive game then Hudler. Torres could probably put up close to what Hudler could ever match anyways.

[Guest bullocks]

Gah! You're dreaming red ink if you think Kevin Lowe would actually be crazy enough to do that trade straight up. A pick would have to be thrown in there or something.

Torres has a hell of a lot more potential then Hudler. Hudler probably has a slight edge in skill, but Torres has size, grit, and a much better defensive game then Hudler. Torres could probably put up close to what Hudler could ever match anyways.

ye i know a pick would have to be involved...not a first rounder tho...maybe third.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Calder was fantastic the second the Wings got him up until the first round of the playoffs in which there was speculation he broke his hand. Holland said that wasn't the case, but I still feel that someone's not saying something. It could be behind the scenes type of thing that went on that no one knows about because I really don't buy that all of a sudden Calder's play went downhill. Doesn't make sense at all especially with how very well he was playing prior to it.

I’m pretty sure they would've reveled that he had a broken hand if it was indeed the case. Obviously it wasn’t.

[zata40 3]

hudler wont be a super star hockey players ever but he can play the game. In his first full NHL season he did great, remember that one night he almost got a hat-trick? And for the playoffs he did good for the amount of time he was given, he did more then kopy did with less time. Give him another year and I'm sure he will improve, and become another reliable hockey player

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

People talk about Filppula being an offensive force in the playoffs.

FACT: Hudler had a better point-per-game ratio than Filppula in the postseason.

Another misconception: Hudler is slow.

Hudler is not slow. He's not as fast as Sergei Fedorov, but he's closer to Fedorov speed than he is to Jason Allison speed. He has amazing vision, great hands, and a rocket shot. He is never going to win the Selke, but he is NOT a defensive liability. He is a small player, but he is tenacious and gritty. He will drive the net and work the corners, even though he is small.

It was a mistake of Babcock's NOT to play Hudler more than he did. Was it the difference in the Anaheim series? Doubtful. But having more offensive talent instead of physical presence couldn't have been a bad thing in a series where the Wings had trouble scoring and not trouble dealing with the physical game.

That's a meaningless fact though. It's a manipulation of statistics that doesn't reveal anything.

So Hudler got 2 assists in 6 games. That doesn't mean if he had played 18 games he would've had 6 points, thereby being superior to Flip's 5 points in 18 games.

I don't think he's as useless as some do, but justified or not, he doesn't seem to have a place on this team. If Babcock is going to be here for a few years, I can't see Hudler getting much ice time. If there's a decent trade to be had, I'd be in favor of it.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Calder was fantastic the second the Wings got him up until the first round of the playoffs in which there was speculation he broke his hand. Holland said that wasn't the case, but I still feel that someone's not saying something. It could be behind the scenes type of thing that went on that no one knows about because I really don't buy that all of a sudden Calder's play went downhill. Doesn't make sense at all especially with how very well he was playing prior to it.

Calder was good at first, but I remember him being in a drought after his red hot start. He had definitely tailed off big time prior to the playoffs. I dont think there was an injury though, why would they not reveal it? Whats the point in keeping a secret like that? You would think Calder, entering free agency, would come clean about it since it would be an excuse for not doing anything in the playoffs. His bad play in the playoffs will hurt him in the dollar department.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I’m pretty sure they would've reveled that he had a broken hand if it was indeed the case. Obviously it wasn’t.

No I don't mean injury wise. I mean behind the scenes type of thing.

[Guest Crymson]

In place of Lang? Absolutely. I imagine, however, that this would have caused no little tension within the household.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

In place of Lang? Absolutely. I imagine, however, that this would have caused no little tension within the household.

Huds has been living on his own for awhile now. He found an apartment shortly after they showed him and Langer on RWW living together.

[Guest DetroitIan]

Honestly, I don't think it would have really changed anything. In certain series' I would say It might have had some sort of impact. But not with out series against the Ducks. In fact, we may have had a tougher time with another small frail body out there. Cause we all know we totally outplayed and outclassed that team. So I really think there is nothing more we could have done. All I know is, if it was'nt for that horrible cheap ass lucky goal from Neidermayer, we would be talking about the Red Wings and them being 2007 Stanley Cup Champions....

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

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.

And when our GM has always been interested in Hawks players (Chelios , Calder) and he loves grit and size , It would make sense since the Sharks have stated .. well they dont want him

[spydrwebb 0]

no, i was hoping he would be dealt when his value was perceived to be higher. i'm ok with kenny's decision to scratch him.

[Kp-Wings 3]

no, i was hoping he would be dealt when his value was perceived to be higher. i'm ok with kenny's decision to scratch him.

Babcock decides who is scratched, not Holland.

[Guest bullocks]

Honestly, I don't think it would have really changed anything. In certain series' I would say It might have had some sort of impact. But not with out series against the Ducks. In fact, we may have had a tougher time with another small frail body out there. Cause we all know we totally outplayed and outclassed that team. So I really think there is nothing more we could have done. All I know is, if it was'nt for that horrible cheap ass lucky goal from Neidermayer, we would be talking about the Red Wings and them being 2007 Stanley Cup Champions....

ppl on here tend to live in the past too much. it's over man, we lost...move on. i don't know if u win hockey games by "out classing" teams...and i wouldnt say we totally outplayed them, it seems ppl tend to forget that they outplayed us in games 1 and 2. as for the cheap ass lucky goal from neidermayer, yes...it was lucky, but we had our chances for that to not matter. teams that win take advantage of their chances, like anaheim.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

ppl on here tend to live in the past too much. it's over man, we lost...move on. i don't know if u win hockey games by "out classing" teams...and i wouldnt say we totally outplayed them, it seems ppl tend to forget that they outplayed us in games 1 and 2. as for the cheap ass lucky goal from neidermayer, yes...it was lucky, but we had our chances for that to not matter. teams that win take advantage of their chances, like anaheim.

Well said.

People seem to forget the two own goals Anaheim scored for us to win the first game. Or all the power plays, including key 5 on 3's that the Wings didn't convert throughout the series.

And I wouldn't want the Wings to be a dirty team... but I'm growing weary of hearing the word "classy."

Classy is apparently the new gritty.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

With all this talk of class maybe you guys should start a petition to institute a dress code for all home games. Make it a jacket and tie affair, start serving fine wine instead of beer, play symphony music instead of the usual songs, get the golf clap going instead of cheering, etc

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Oh and of course if you bring Tie Domi to the game, you can get in with just the jacket