Wings re-sign Hudler to 2-year deal

[eva unit zero 271]

Not a bad signing. He'll be a good depth player for the regular season. I can't imagine this lil guy doing much in the playoffs though. Sure pure speculation, but most small guys get pushed around in the playoffs. Remember him vs the Sharks?

Hudler vs the Sharks...looked about as effective as Filppula vs the Sharks. How does that prove your point?

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

Hudler vs the Sharks...looked about as effective as Filppula vs the Sharks. How does that prove your point?

Filppula actually had some moments where he was effective- like when he dug out the puck from two sharks and fed Lang for the game tying goal.

Hudler looked like a child among men. He's got skills for sure but I just don't see him as one to thrive in the playoffs. I'd love it if he proved me wrong though.

[eva unit zero 271]

Filppula actually had some moments where he was effective- like when he dug out the puck from two sharks and fed Lang for the game tying goal.

Hudler looked like a child among men. He's got skills for sure but I just don't see him as one to thrive in the playoffs. I'd love it if he proved me wrong though.

Hudler was more noticeable in creating chances and being in good position than Flip was in that series. Yes, Flip got the puck to Lang...but guess what...Lang doesn't score and it's no better than the many chances Hudler created.

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

Hudler was more noticeable in creating chances and being in good position than Flip was in that series. Yes, Flip got the puck to Lang...but guess what...Lang doesn't score and it's no better than the many chances Hudler created.

Perhaps you watched Hudler closer than I because most of the time I saw him on the ice he was getting manhandled by much larger opponents.

Maybe Flip was more noticeable to me cuz he got more minutes, but I personally saw him doing more out there and holding his own in the physical second season much better.

[Offsides 21]

Hudler was almost a TARGET for the Sharks....maybe because of his size, or maybe because of his skill. It makes no sense to continually dog a player who isn't even good. If the refs made the calls they need to make it isn't a problem, but they don't. And I don't know too many players who will score goals while being drug down to the ice.

Hudler will get smarter with age and learn to use his small stature more to his advantage. He did manage to make some plays that are memorable and was noticable out there, imo. He will do even better with increased ice time. I think when he played he was better than a handful of Wings...not just Flip.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Hudler was almost a TARGET for the Sharks....maybe because of his size, or maybe because of his skill.

It was most definately his size. They didnt need to be afraid of his "skill" when they have guys like Thornton and Cheechoo on there team.

[yankeebaddabing 0]

Whew i canm breath again, I was worried this kid would leave. Glad we got him coming back, I just hope we can sign Dom now...

[Kp-Wings 3]

It was most definately his size. They didnt need to be afraid of his "skill" when they have guys like Thornton and Cheechoo on there team.

[BlakChamber 8]

I'm kinda meh on this. I don't think Hudler is all that some people make him out to be. But, the price was right and he knows the Red Wings system.

Could have been worse.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

...what a waste of money and a roster spot...

...lose Bertuzzi, replace h im with Hudler. What an upgrade!

Hudler isn't supposed to "replace" Bertuzzi. And Hudler, in all likelihood I'm betting, was going to be re-signed regardless of if the Wings re-signed Bertuzzi or not.

[kylee 727]

i like this signing.

let's see what the guy can do.

enough speculation,

enough bashing his size.

this year,

sink or swim Jiri.

[tipetz22 0]

Great signing!!! Here's to 25-30 goals this season!!!

Wings w/ Huds > Sharks

Wings w/o Huds < Ducks

Before everyone jumps on me about how we were w/o Schied's too, and other people didn't step up in the Ducks series. I just though that Kopecky didn't add anything (creativity, goals, grit, anything). He had 6 PIM and -1 (+/-). At least Hud's would have been drawing penalties instead of taking them! With the minimum time Kop's was given, Hud's would have at least created something. I just don't see how someone who is coming off a major injury can be better then someone that has been with the team for the better part of the season.

*stepping off soapbox*

Edit: I like Kopecky, don't get me wrong, just not if it means scarficing Hudler!

Edited July 5, 2007 by tipetz22

[Offsides 21]

Great signing!!! Here's to 25-30 goals this season!!!

Wings w/ Huds > Sharks

Wings w/o Huds < Ducks

Before everyone jumps on me about how we were w/o Schied's too, and other people didn't step up in the Ducks series. I just though that Kopecky didn't add anything (creativity, goals, grit, anything). He had 6 PIM and -1 (+/-). At least Hud's would have been drawing penalties instead of taking them! With the minimum time Kop's was given, Hud's would have at least created something. I just don't see how someone who is coming off a major injury can be better then someone that has been with the team for the better part of the season.

*stepping off soapbox*

Edit: I like Kopecky, don't get me wrong, just not if it means scarficing Hudler!

Totally agree. Plus, let's not underestimate what he did for us against the Flames!

[Cicada 4]

...what a waste of money and a roster spot...

...lose Bertuzzi, replace h im with Hudler. What an upgrade!

i'll take hudler over that waste of space bertizzu any day

[BlakChamber 8]

Great signing!!! Here's to 25-30 goals this season!!!

Wings w/ Huds > Sharks

Wings w/o Huds < Ducks

You don't seriously think Hudler was the difference between the Wings beating the Ducks and the Wings losing the Ducks, do you?

[SweWings 45]

Sigh. For that amount of money and the contract length, I'm happy if he scores his 15 goals. I don't see why people are bitching so much about this guy. He's not the next superstar and he doesn't have to be. And I'd rather sign him now and have the money to overspend on one of the big guns becoming FAs next year than have spent it on a guy like Smyth.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

i like this signing.

let's see what the guy can do.

enough speculation,

enough bashing his size.

this year,

sink or swim Jiri.

I thought that was last year.

I don't really have anything against Hoodlum, but it's hard for me to get excited for a small skill center when we've already got so many natural centers.

Even if he gets 5 more minutes per game and manages Lang like numbers, the team just got a whole lot smaller for the playoffs. The only upside I guess he's he's a lot cheaper.

[tipetz22 0]

You don't seriously think Hudler was the difference between the Wings beating the Ducks and the Wings losing the Ducks, do you?

Yes and No.

Yes, he could have been because he brings playmaking, goal scoring ablilities, anc chemistry with the team, where IMO Kop's lacks due to injury/# of games. (2 assists in 2 games vs. Calgary)

No, b/c his minutes would have been to low.

Just so I don't sit on the fence, IMO I felt like Hud's could have been a difference maker. Someone needed to shine in the Ducks series and no one did. Maybe because that person was benched/scratched. We will never know, but he could have been a piece to the puzzle in beating the Ducks.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Great signing!!! Here's to 25-30 goals this season!!!

Wings w/ Huds > Sharks

Wings w/o Huds < Ducks

Before everyone jumps on me about how we were w/o Schied's too, and other people didn't step up in the Ducks series. I just though that Kopecky didn't add anything (creativity, goals, grit, anything). He had 6 PIM and -1 (+/-). At least Hud's would have been drawing penalties instead of taking them! With the minimum time Kop's was given, Hud's would have at least created something. I just don't see how someone who is coming off a major injury can be better then someone that has been with the team for the better part of the season.

*stepping off soapbox*

Edit: I like Kopecky, don't get me wrong, just not if it means scarficing Hudler!

We probably wouldve gotten beaten int 5 games with Hudler in the line-up , Kopeckys good for energy. If Zetterberg and Datsyuk couldnt get it going on the road till game 6 , How long do you think it wouldve taken Hudler (Heres a hint , I highly doubt he gets a point at all)

Yes and No.

Yes, he could have been because he brings playmaking, goal scoring ablilities, anc chemistry with the team, where IMO Kop's lacks due to injury/# of games. (2 assists in 2 games vs. Calgary)

No, b/c his minutes would have been to low.

Just so I don't sit on the fence, IMO I felt like Hud's could have been a difference maker. Someone needed to shine in the Ducks series and no one did. Maybe because that person was benched/scratched. We will never know, but he could have been a piece to the puzzle in beating the Ducks.

Cleary did , leader of all players with points in the series. Its because the rest of the team werent scoring at the rate they couldve. Hudler would not have been the difference.

[Mickeyisms Rule! 0]

Maybe the people screaming about this signing should just give up and be fans of the Duck.

I live and breathe Wings hockey. If a player is wearing the Winged-Wheel, I support them. Some of you may want to think about that.

If you want to watch a team with goons and fighters, then this isn't your team.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I live and breathe Wings hockey. If a player is wearing the Winged-Wheel, I support them. Some of you may want to think about that.

Woo! Lets go Uwe Krupp , Brent Gilchrist , Mikeal Samuelsson , Tim Cheveldae and Anders Eriksson

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

Maybe the people screaming about this signing should just give up and be fans of the Duck.

I live and breathe Wings hockey. If a player is wearing the Winged-Wheel, I support them. Some of you may want to think about that.

If you want to watch a team with goons and fighters, then this isn't your team.

I didn't notice anybody on here "screaming" about the signing. If anything it's people a little over-excited IMO, or people like me saying, "meh, he's cheap, will help in the regular season but we will need somebody bigger/stronger/grittier for the playoffs".

I'm not a fan of the Ducks or their defensive, shutdown style but the fact is they beat us with those "goons and fighters". To me, Hudler is the kind of player that might be very good in the regular season, but disappear in the playoffs.

I'm fine with the signing since it's cheap and he does have potential, but we still have a need to fill to be successful in the playoffs next season.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Maybe the people screaming about this signing should just give up and be fans of the Duck.

I live and breathe Wings hockey. If a player is wearing the Winged-Wheel, I support them. Some of you may want to think about that.

If you want to watch a team with goons and fighters, then this isn't your team.

2002 Wings get in 21 fights.

1998 Wings get in 33 fights.

1997 Wings get in 55 fights.

You may want to think about that.

McCarty, Shanahan, Fischer, Avery, Lapointe, Pushor, Ward, Kocur, Grimson all the way back to Probert...

Wanting the team to be tough does not equal wanting a bunch of goons. Where did this idea come from that the Wings are too "classy" to get involved with the rough stuff??

And just because I don't fall all over myself supporting every single player who's ever worn the Winged Wheel doesn't mean I'm not a true fan.

I've been a Wings fan for 20+ years.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

If the ZDH line is broken up and the wings put Hudler with dats 30+

Second line 22.

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

Not really about Hudler but what do you all think of Schneider's replacement Brian Rafalski?

I know he's from Michigan and so will have a passion for the team but anyone recon his ice performances will ever match Mathieu's?