Jiri Hudler

[Reds4Life 51]

However guys, lets not forget the 2 magic words. Contract year

Don't get me wrong, I love Huds and his Scrappy-dappy-doo attitude, but lets not get carried away. As for Hudler vs Flip - do you really think Huds could've shut down Malkin last year like Flip did?

No, me neither.

Flippers time will be next year when the roster is gutted by Free Agency.

Yeah, our defence had nothing to do with that, it was all Val

Filppula is good defensively minded player, but he is not elite shutdown forward like Pavel or Hank so let's not overrate Flip.

I'd love to see both of them as a Red Wings next year, but if I had to choose I'd pick Hudler because he's significantly better offensively.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Huddles has always had an offensive gift. He just didn't get the ice time/linemates to let it blossom. He's coming into his own and I do love the way he sticks up for himself and isn't afraid to get a little dirty. However, I could live without him.

One thing the Wings don't have a problem doing is scoring. A team without Hudler is still going to score goals. For 1 second, if the possibility that Franzen and Hossa could remain Wings at the expense of Hudler, I think you'd be nuts not to get rid of him.

Hudler is a nice, shifty little offensive guy. But that's what he's going to be. He's not a hitter, he's one of the smallest guys in the league and he doesn't have small guy speed.

I don't really have bad things to say about him, he's a good young player. But he's no Franzen, Hossa, Zetterberg or Datsyuk. Personally, he's no Filpulla either. He's better than Flip offensively but Flip brings much more to the table all around.

I wouldn't lose any sleep if Hudler left Detroit.

[egroen 384]

I just think Mr Sandman has insecurity issues -- maybe short man syndrome?

Anyways -- Franzen was a ***** to sign last time, and that was when he was projected to be a third-line grinder. I don't know, I could see him mighty tempted by a big-time offer from another team. Pittsburgh fans seem to think he is the answer to all their prayers. If he tests free agency I think he is as good as gone... Holland simply can not match what other teams would throw at Franzen.

Cleary, at least, is signed for decent money and is a decent backup for the type of player Franzen is.

Hudler is a RFA, and I think teams will be a little more leery about throwing out offer sheets this year, and even if someone makes a big offer, the Wings will get nice picks as compensation. My biggest fear was always that Holland would choose to keep Samuelsson over Hudler -- hopefully I am just being paranoid.

I have long felt that Filppula would need to be traded in order to keep Franzen -- but there is a good chance Filppula could be kept if they only sign Hudler.

Here's a question -- Who would you prefer next year:

Franzen and Samuelsson

Hudler and Filppula

Both pairs could be making close to the same amount of money combined (about $6 million each). Tough choice, but I think you keep Hudler and Filppula for a number of reasons (potential being the largest).

[T.Low 1,011]

The Data (NHL.com):

Teemu Selanne 33 14 13 27 -6 $3.25m 16:31 toi/g

Daniel Alfredsson OTT R 39 11 25 36 -1 $4.4m 20:55 toi/g

Jason Spezza OTT C 40 17 16 33 -7 $7.0m 20:27 toi/g

Patrick Sharp CHI R 40 20 14 34 1 $3.9m 18:53 toi/g

Jiri Hudler DET L 41 16 18 34 10 $1.015m 13:27 toi/g

Comparison production to cost (cap hit) ratio looks good.

Edited January 12, 2009 by T.Low

[Datsyerberger 279]

The Data (NHL.com):

Teemu Selanne 33 14 13 27 -6 $3.25m

Daniel Alfredsson OTT R 39 11 25 36 -1 $4.4m

Jason Spezza OTT C 40 17 16 33 -7 $7.0m

Patrick Sharp CHI R 40 20 14 34 1 $3.9m

Jiri Hudler DET L 41 16 18 34 10 $1.015

Comparison production to cost (cap hit) ratio looks good.

With the only one among that list head and shoulders above the others defensively being Alfredsson.

Yes, please.

Edited January 12, 2009 by Datsyerberger

[imisssergei 0]

I just think Mr Sandman has insecurity issues -- maybe short man syndrome?

Anyways -- Franzen was a ***** to sign last time, and that was when he was projected to be a third-line grinder. I don't know, I could see him mighty tempted by a big-time offer from another team. Pittsburgh fans seem to think he is the answer to all their prayers. If he tests free agency I think he is as good as gone... Holland simply can not match what other teams would throw at Franzen.

Cleary, at least, is signed for decent money and is a decent backup for the type of player Franzen is.

Hudler is a RFA, and I think teams will be a little more leery about throwing out offer sheets this year, and even if someone makes a big offer, the Wings will get nice picks as compensation. My biggest fear was always that Holland would choose to keep Samuelsson over Hudler -- hopefully I am just being paranoid.

I have long felt that Filppula would need to be traded in order to keep Franzen -- but there is a good chance Filppula could be kept if they only sign Hudler.

Here's a question -- Who would you prefer next year:

Franzen and Samuelsson

Hudler and Filppula

Both pairs could be making close to the same amount of money combined (about $6 million each). Tough choice, but I think you keep Hudler and Filppula for a number of reasons (potential being the largest).

Hands down I'd take Sammy over Rex. He's bigger, hits, and is an aggressive backchecker. He has a great shot from the point, and gives the second PP a completely different look that the first unit. I've grow to really appreciate both Rex and Sammy much more this season.

[Doggy 130]

With the only one among that list head and shoulders above the others defensively being Alfredsson.

Yes, please.

Patrick Sharp is excellent defensively. By no means is Alfie head and shoulders above him.

[norrisnick 1]

Hands down I'd take Sammy over Rex. He's bigger, hits, and is an aggressive backchecker. He has a great shot from the point, and gives the second PP a completely different look that the first unit. I've grow to really appreciate both Rex and Sammy much more this season.

The bolded section is the only part I agree with. And the thing that Sammy brings to the 2nd unit that's completely different from the 1st unit is that he's a TRAINWRECK with the puck. You can almost guarantee that something stupid is about to happen. He makes bad decisions. Has a ridiculously hard time getting his shot through (shinpad assassin). His d to d passes are infuriating. He's the only guy on the team that will pass across the ice at an angle that would put the puck into the neutral zone if it isn't handled cleanly. Every 10-15 games or so he manages to unleash a nice one-timer, but that's about it.

If Jiri had Sammy's physical attributes he'd be Jagr. If Sammy had Jiri's physical attributes he wouldn't have made it out of the Swedish equivalent of TimBits hockey.

[egroen 384]

The bolded section is the only part I agree with. And the thing that Sammy brings to the 2nd unit that's completely different from the 1st unit is that he's a TRAINWRECK with the puck. You can almost guarantee that something stupid is about to happen. He makes bad decisions. Has a ridiculously hard time getting his shot through (shinpad assassin). His d to d passes are infuriating. He's the only guy on the team that will pass across the ice at an angle that would put the puck into the neutral zone if it isn't handled cleanly. Every 10-15 games or so he manages to unleash a nice one-timer, but that's about it.

If Jiri had Sammy's physical attributes he'd be Jagr. If Sammy had Jiri's physical attributes he wouldn't have made it out of the Swedish equivalent of TimBits hockey.

Completely agree. I have nightmares that Holland will sign Samuelsson over Hudler. Samuelsson is an absolute steal at his current salary, but he has nothing on Hudler.

[cnot19 191]

Id prefer hudler to Samuelsson as well. But IMO Franzen Hossa and Zetterberg are not in the same free agent class as those two. Franzen brings alot more than Hudler. I dont see hudler as much of a playmaker like some of you do. I think he is more of a finisher that excels when hes setup. Hes got a good shot and knows how to use it. Id like to keep him as long as it doesnt cost us a great player. Without him the 2nd PP unit would have to be reworked.

[Opie 308]

Why do people keep grouping Mule with Hossa and Z, like in the post above?

Are you seriously putting Franzen in the same category, I hope not he is in the Huds/Flip category. If even that. Or unless you were grouping by age?

Franzen is a near 30 year old who is finally starting to show the ability to score. He goes on tears from time to time yes, he has a great shot at times yes. Now he just needs to find a way to turn that time to time into a consistent ability.

To me it is Z v Hossa and Franzen V Hudler/sammy as far as who gets kept. With Z, even if he takes a huge discount to play at 6.7 all but eliminates Hossa, and if the cap goes down signing Franzen along with one of the first two all but eliminates Huds and Sammy.

My prediction, Z signs at about 7.5, Mule signs for about 5 from another team, Hudler takes flip money, and Sammy takes 3 mil from another team.

Franzen's last contract wasn't exactly easy and he was a nobody, Sammy is a steal at that price and maybe wanting to win keeps him around that cheap, but you can't blame a guy for chasing down a few extra mil!! Or can you?

[swiss_fan 3]

Or can you?

Yes we can

[T.Low 1,011]

Why do people keep grouping Mule with Hossa and Z, like in the post above?

Are you seriously putting Franzen in the same category, I hope not he is in the Huds/Flip category. If even that. Or unless you were grouping by age?

Franzen is a near 30 year old who is finally starting to show the ability to score. He goes on tears from time to time yes, he has a great shot at times yes. Now he just needs to find a way to turn that time to time into a consistent ability.

To me it is Z v Hossa and Franzen V Hudler/sammy as far as who gets kept. With Z, even if he takes a huge discount to play at 6.7 all but eliminates Hossa, and if the cap goes down signing Franzen along with one of the first two all but eliminates Huds and Sammy.

My prediction, Z signs at about 7.5, Mule signs for about 5 from another team, Hudler takes flip money, and Sammy takes 3 mil from another team.

Franzen's last contract wasn't exactly easy and he was a nobody, Sammy is a steal at that price and maybe wanting to win keeps him around that cheap, but you can't blame a guy for chasing down a few extra mil!! Or can you?

Franzen is more at the level just below Hossa/Zettterberg, but definitelu over and above Huds/Filp/Samms. A bit of a Tweener.

Huds is more of a sniper.

[eva unit zero 271]

Franzen is more at the level just below Hossa/Zettterberg, but definitelu over and above Huds/Filp/Samms. A bit of a Tweener.

Huds is more of a sniper.

Who is a better playmaker on the Wings than Hudler?

Datsyuk, perhaps. But that's about it.

How about who is better at goal scoring?

Hossa and Zetterberg are the only names that come to mind.

Hudler is scoring at basically the same pace Datsyuk is per minute with much weaker linemates. Hudler is usually the most offensively talented player on his line. Franzen is usually NOT the most offensively talented player on his line, and usually plays with Datsyuk, the team's best playmaker.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I hate to nitpick, but...

Hudler is scoring at basically the same pace Datsyuk is per minute with much weaker linemates.

Which is in and of itself quite a dubious stat considering:

• Scoring does not scale linearly with ice time.
• Hudler plays a larger proportion of his minutes on the power play than Datsyuk, who in turn receives more ice time in situations were it's harder to score -- ES and PK -- watering down his "points per minute."
• Datsyuk is the Wings' top threat (real or imagined) and more regularly faces the attention of the oppositions top defensive players.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Franzen's last contract wasn't exactly easy and he was a nobody, Sammy is a steal at that price and maybe wanting to win keeps him around that cheap, but you can't blame a guy for chasing down a few extra mil!! Or can you?

SOMEBODY ELSE REMEMBERS!!!!

Seriously, Franzen practically held out when he was up for his contract, and if it weren't for the big increase in the cap, Franzen's 942k salary would've been an overpayment. He was a bona fide 4th liner with no reputation at the time he signed that contract, and it took the entire off-season to get through the negotiations.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Id prefer hudler to Samuelsson as well. But IMO Franzen Hossa and Zetterberg are not in the same free agent class as those two. Franzen brings alot more than Hudler. I dont see hudler as much of a playmaker like some of you do. I think he is more of a finisher that excels when hes setup. Hes got a good shot and knows how to use it. Id like to keep him as long as it doesnt cost us a great player. Without him the 2nd PP unit would have to be reworked.

No offense, but you must not pay close attention to Hudler's playmaking abilities. He pulls off passes that are second to only Datsyuk, and about on par with Hank. His ability to find players in the open ice and make the right decision with the puck in the offensive zone is excellent.

The only reason Hudler doesn't rack up the assists is because he regular linemates are Filppula, who reminds me of Draper the way he can't manage to execute a great play despite making all the preceding moves to accomplish it, and Sammy, who is barely a 20 goal scorer on a good year.

Ideally, Hudler should be playing on Zetterberg's wing. And if he did, his production would probaby be even better than it currently is.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I'm pretty sure that "YG1340's unbiased" wasn't the reason why you're the only person I've ever put on ignore here.

Then youre basically admitting how ridiculous your nationalistic homerism. I call it how I see it, and through the years, I've been a pretty good judge of the future players have.

Undoubtedly, you were probably just one of the folks claiming its perfectly feasible that Filppula could get 50+ points this season, and possibly even 70. I an I was among those refuting that.

I'm sorry I hurt your feelings about being right. Maybe you should man (or woman) up a bit.

Edited January 13, 2009 by YoungGuns1340

[Red Crazy 201]

Hudler has really surprised me with his play this year, considering who he plays with most of the time( Sammy ) He is a huge asset to this team and I hope that he is signed. As another poster said if he was just bigger he would be Jagr! I couldn't agree more

[Ms_Hockey 0]

He's not underrated here, but he is everywhere else. (Which is PERFECTLY fine with me. )

I think Cleary is underrated as well.

[FinRedWing 172]

Then youre basically admitting how ridiculous your nationalistic homerism. I call it how I see it, and through the years, I've been a pretty good judge of the future players have.

Undoubtedly, you were probably just one of the folks claiming its perfectly feasible that Filppula could get 50+ points this season, and possibly even 70. I an I was among those refuting that.

I'm sorry I hurt your feelings about being right. Maybe you should man (or woman) up a bit.

Sorry,but I wasn't one of those people. Not after Hossa came and I saw Hudler & Cleary deservedly taking the last places on the PP.

That's why I've been preaching people not to expect 50-70 points from Val, 'cause of his role at the moment.

And sure I'm a Finnish homer.

We've never had a Finn in our team before Val.

It's great one finally made it.

[cnot19 191]

No offense, but you must not pay close attention to Hudler's playmaking abilities. He pulls off passes that are second to only Datsyuk, and about on par with Hank. His ability to find players in the open ice and make the right decision with the puck in the offensive zone is excellent.

The only reason Hudler doesn't rack up the assists is because he regular linemates are Filppula, who reminds me of Draper the way he can't manage to execute a great play despite making all the preceding moves to accomplish it, and Sammy, who is barely a 20 goal scorer on a good year.

Ideally, Hudler should be playing on Zetterberg's wing. And if he did, his production would probaby be even better than it currently is.

Non taken

I watch about every wings game. I agree he is a good playmaker and is not a third line type player. However, I just dont see him being able to excel this well on another team or when the defense keys on him. On the power play he looks pretty good but def not on the level of Dats and Zetterberg.

Edited January 14, 2009 by cnot19

[ManLuv4Clears 7]

Non taken

I watch about every wings game. I agree he is a good playmaker and is not a third line type player. However, I just dont see him being able to excel this well on another team or when the defense keys on him. On the power play he looks pretty good but def not on the level of Dats and Zetterberg.

How's the saying go? You're only as good as the company around you?? I like Huds and all, but I'd be interested to see how he'd perform on a first line with a team that doesn't have the talent of the Wings. Teams would most likely play tighter defense on him as well, and I don't see him doing as well as he does here.

[egroen 384]

All Hudler has done consistently is surpass critcs' expectations:

Too small to compete (Czech league; AHL, NHL)

Too slow

Can't put up points even strength

Will not produce on top lines

No defensive game

Will crumple against top notch checkers

I think he would do just fine on another team; though I really hope we never see it!

[dat's sick 1,002]

Homer can't play forever, and I think we should keep Franzen with any means necessary since he is the next best thing.

Very important for the PP to have a player like that in front of the goal.