96warrior 11 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...e=lebrun_pierre Speaking of the KHL, Czech forward Jiri Hudler is expected be playing there this upcoming season. That's a loss the Wings were not expecting this offseason. The restricted free agent, who had filed for NHL salary arbitration, agreed to a two-year deal with Moscow Dynamo. Reports indicate it is worth anywhere from $3 million to $5 million a year, tax free, although you never really know for sure. A KHL spokesman confirmed to ESPN.com this afternoon that the contract was filed and registered with the Russian league. "I was told by Petr Svoboda [Hudler's agent, who hasn't returned our calls] that it's for significant dollars," Wings GM Ken Holland told ESPN.com on Thursday. "The last time I spoke to Petr was on Monday. I gave him a number and I said, 'You can choose a three-year term, a four-year term or a five-year term.' I think Petr thought the offer was fair." But not as much money as what Dynamo obviously offered. To say the Wings were totally surprised is not accurate. Holland said he had heard in talks with Svoboda that Russia was a possibility. "My experience is that the Swedes and the Finns aren't nearly as interested or pursued to go play in the Russian league as the Russians and the Czechs are," Holland said. "We've had Czech and Russian players, and the agent will often tell me there are opportunities in the Russian league. Every time Petr Svoboda and I talked about a contract for Jiri, I also heard that. "So am I surprised? I mean, I hear it in every negotiation. Alexander Radulov [Nashville] went over to play in Russia. We had Danny Markov we tried to sign and he went to play in the Russian league. So it's not like this is the first time it's happened. Nothing surprises me." Holland said the Wings will proceed with the arbitrating hearing anyway. "And he's going to have a contract that he's going to have to honor when he comes back," said Holland. "If he ever does come back." Losing Marian Hossa, Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Kopecky was not unforeseen even though the Wings did their best to keep them. But Hudler was looked at as a guy who could step up and fill the void of those departures along with youngsters such as Darren Helm, Ville Leino and Justin Abdelkader. But Hudler's offensive talent is way above those guys. The Wings will scour what's left in free agency. "Well, I'm going to work the phones," said Holland. "I've talked to a few agents. There's some players that we do have some interest in." But don't expect a high-end, big-money splash. The Wings don't have much cap space left. They were willing to trade a player in order to accommodate a new $3 million-a-year contract for Hudler, but now they'd rather sign a forward on the cheap. "In both Hudler and Hossa's cases, given their age and their stature, we were prepared to sign them and then move players," Holland said. "I don't know that I'm prepared to sign someone on the open market to a one-year deal and then have to move some players. I don't know if we'd be any further ahead in the game. ... So we'll look at the open market, it's been picked over pretty good right now." My take is a player like Alex Tanguay, still on the market, would appear out of Detroit's reach. But what about former Wings forward Robert Lang? He might be had for cheap given that he's recovering from a serious Achilles' heel injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stillwater 186 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 Ok, so Hudler's going to the KHL. Good to know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozzie30 170 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 No Rober Lang, he's lazy and he sucks: http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...7937&st=140 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AD2044 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 Travis f'n Moen! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 What about Bob? Are you serious? f*** no! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 The fact that he could 'be had for cheap' because he suffered a possibly career-ending injury isn't an argument in favour of signing him... Betts! Git 'er dun, Kenny. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 Hudler managed to win me over during the season but I really couldn't care less if he goes and plays for the Dynamo. As far as I can tell, he was done after the Brown hit. Give him credit for coming back and playing, but it affected him negatively the rest of the way. Not really sad to see a player like that go. See ya... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman54 91 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 I have a feeling we are gonna see Bertuzzi back here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 I have a feeling we are gonna see Bertuzzi back here. I keep getting that feeling as well, just because Holland and co. made a push to get him re-signed in 07, reportedly had interest in him last year, and he can get you some points. Dunno if it's the right choice, but who knows, at least Kennys looking around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadMan Mark 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 We have speed already, let's get a big forward who likes to throw his body around a bit. Bertuzzi is not a bad option, for the right price. Please do not bring back Lang, especially after an Achilles injury. . . that would be wasted money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 Wow...Lang? I mean, I don't *hate* Lang, but the guy just got his Achilles tendon sliced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroitboogie 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 Bertuzzi just didn't seem to like his time in Detroit. He seemed a little out of place. But I do like 'tuzzi, but will he be willing to play in the red and white?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slabby 3 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 Travis f'n Moen! I call dibs on the "Black Snake Moen" username. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingZNut13 99 Report post Posted July 10, 2009 Bertuzzi just didn't seem to like his time in Detroit. He seemed a little out of place. But I do like 'tuzzi, but will he be willing to play in the red and white?? I think he would be willing to come play here. I hope he would like to be part of something that has made it to the SCF 2 years in a row. But Tuzzi is a ******-nozzle, who only knows what is attitude is towards this whole thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted July 10, 2009 I wouldn't mind a few of these players mentioned thus far. But I have a feeling KH will make a trade, rather than sign one of these UFA's mentioned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rage 24 Report post Posted July 10, 2009 Lol @ Lang! Please.... I don't see Big Bert back here either. Like someone else said, great to see Holland working the phones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
