How big of an impact would Hudler be having on this season's team.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

Nothing new here but hudler leaving detroit is all babcocks fault for treating him like a bag of s*** since he got up to detroit giving him very little ice time (even though he had excellent pts for the 12-13mins he played per night) and when he did got more icetime it didnt last long at all he never gave him a chance, hudler was tired of babcock and detroit, was very obvious, and went for a change of scenery and huge bucket of cash...

well said. so if anyone thinks huds is gonna come back next season to play for 2.5 million or so taxable dollars, they're outta their mind. he goes from whipping boy to #1 centre.

[thedatsyukian 7]

well said. so if anyone thinks huds is gonna come back next season to play for 2.5 million or so taxable dollars, they're outta their mind. he goes from whipping boy to #1 centre.

Yeah, I don't see him ever returning. He's making more money in a league more suitable to play style while being closer to home.

[eva unit zero 271]

I see a good chance of Hudler returning next year as the Wings will have cap space available and will need his presence offensively. Hudler has said in the past he would rather have a spot with top-six ice time in Detroit than be 'the guy' in the KHL. Next season, Detroit will absolutely need Hudler's presence offensively, and with the increased ice time he will be producing significant numbers.

[Shady Ultima 40]

I'd be scared to see Hudler back on this team, especially in top 6...

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom

Leino - Filpulla - Hudler (scary... no one could move the puck 5 feet)

[Carman 387]

Pretty big impact if we could trade him for a good North American player like Ryan Callahan. Other then that he would just fake an injury to collect his pay check like usual.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Nothing new here but hudler leaving detroit is all babcocks fault for treating him like a bag of s*** since he got up to detroit giving him very little ice time (even though he had excellent pts for the 12-13mins he played per night) and when he did got more icetime it didnt last long at all he never gave him a chance, hudler was tired of babcock and detroit, was very obvious, and went for a change of scenery and huge bucket of cash...

Spot on.

Hudler got treated like dirt from Babcock.

[CMatt89 63]

This team doesnt need another small non physical forward, especially one that is extremely one dimensional. This team does need goals. Who knows if Hudler would have produced this season, no one. With the team salary the way it is, Detroit has to suffer. It's reality. When Filpula, Franzen, and Kronwall return the team scoring will improve.

As for Babcock vs Hudler. Hudler seamed to be uncoachable. His lack of ice time was obviously do to poor defensive and neutral zone play. He was too shy to go into the dirty areas, his forward lane acknowledgment never improved from league entry. He left for money, and for freedom to play more to his abilities over what role Detroit was trying to mold him into. The NHL is all about fitting your role. You can be a 50 goal scorer in the minors, but if the coaching and management tell you to play their way, you have to play their way to keep a roster spot. Who knows what went on behind closed doors.

[Z and D for the C 712]

I'd be scared to see Hudler back on this team, especially in top 6...

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom

Leino - Filpulla - Hudler (scary... no one could move the puck 5 feet)

PLEASE. Filppula has one of the best placed passes on the team.

[eva unit zero 271]

This team doesnt need another small non physical forward, especially one that is extremely one dimensional. This team does need goals. Who knows if Hudler would have produced this season, no one. With the team salary the way it is, Detroit has to suffer. It's reality. When Filpula, Franzen, and Kronwall return the team scoring will improve.

As for Babcock vs Hudler. Hudler seamed to be uncoachable. His lack of ice time was obviously do to poor defensive and neutral zone play. He was too shy to go into the dirty areas, his forward lane acknowledgment never improved from league entry.

Hudler was one of the few forwards we had who would go into the 'dirty' areas no matter what. Yes, he's small and a euro, but he still went into the corners and drove the net. A lot of the Wings' forwards last year, this year, and even previously don't or didn't do that as much or as well as Hudler.

Yes, he is not the best at winning battles in the corners. But he didn't shy away. And he wasn't uncoachable; his defense improved greatly since entering the league and he went from the mindset of a guy who was used to carrying the play and setting everything up by himself to the Wings' style of puck possession through smart passing and cycling. Uncoachable my ******* ass.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I'd take him over Leino, but there both scrubs. Plus, he'd obviously be on the IR by now, so he wouldnt have any impact. Just the way the seasons gone, all our important players (cept J Willy) have gotten hurt. Of course the Leinos, and Lebda have been healthy for all the games though

[SweWings 45]

He would've been injured.

[under_par_00 45]

Hudler wouldn't be leading the team in scoring. But his PPG last year with ten minutes per game was 0.7, which over 30 games is 21 points. He would probably have better than 20 points, which is what Williams and Bertuzzi have contributed offensively combined, although Williams has been injured. Also, it would have allowed Dats to play on a line with a better build, further extending the offensive production. It would have provided the Wings with a great playmaker to place on the second PP (Hudler absolutely directed the unit last year) and another forward capable of either creating a goal for teammates by playmaking or creating one for himself.

Hudler instead of Willy/Bert would have absolutely been better for the Wings. Better offense, and you take away two defensive liabilities in favor of one player who is above average defensively. The only thing you lose is Bertuzzi's size, which he doesn't use.

I wouldn't say that. He was on the 2nd PP mostly with Zetterberg and Franzen. Put him on the 2nd PP this year with Big Bert and Cleary and it will not look the same. Never the less, it would still look better than it does without him IMO.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Hudler would have some impact in all likelihood, but with so many people injured the Wings would probably still be struggling at present time.

[thedatsyukian 7]

I'd take him over Leino, but there both scrubs. Plus, he'd obviously be on the IR by now, so he wouldnt have any impact. Just the way the seasons gone, all our important players (cept J Willy) have gotten hurt. Of course the Leinos, and Lebda have been healthy for all the games though

59 points is a scrub?

[Rush 7]

How big of an impact would Hudler be having on this season's team.

He'd be out 3 to 4 months with a torn ******.

[dicksmack 33]

The impact Hudler could have had on our team is far more significant than people like us to believe. Hudler is probably the most skilled player behind the Euro twins and while I know it's fun to make jokes about Hudler being soft, he brings an element that we're missing right now. If you take a moment to look at our lines you'll notice that in reality, we're using a lot of grinders and very few skilled players which is a large part in why our offense has struggled. Hudler would have an instant impact on the second PP and would provide a dangerous threat in the offensive zone that we lack outside of our first line. It's rather baffling the irrational dislike that people have for Hudler in the misguided belief that players can't overcome the flaw of being "soft" through production. Take a moment and think about what Hudler brings... PRODUCTION. How many of our other players bring that trait?

People are just so blinded by the soft euro identity that they aren't willing to see that Hudler is an offensive specialist and a damn good one at that.

Yes sir...

Hudler was THE key to the second pp unit--he owned the puck along the boards with that quick pivot and as you say flat out produced offensively.

[under_par_00 45]

Yes sir...

Hudler was THE key to the second pp unit--he owned the puck along the boards with that quick pivot and as you say flat out produced offensively.

Come on people, Hudler played on the 2nd PP with Zetterberg and Franzen! Arguably both equal, if not better offensive players than Hudler. Stick him out there now on that 2nd PP, and he will only look half as good. Albeit still better than Abdelkader, or Cleary, or anyone currently on the 2nd PP.

[dicksmack 33]

Come on people, Hudler played on the 2nd PP with Zetterberg and Franzen! Arguably both equal, if not better offensive players than Hudler. Stick him out there now on that 2nd PP, and he will only look half as good. Albeit still better than Abdelkader, or Cleary, or anyone currently on the 2nd PP.

ZDH with Lids/Raf= 1st pp unit... Though Z and Pavel were separated at times, this has been our best pp set for awhile. People are apt to minimize Hudler's contributions due to resentment--it's understandable but his playmaking skill was third on the team after Hank and Pavel and contributed to puck possession/offense game in and game out.

[sureWhyNot 19]

Hudler would have about the same impact Leino would have if in fact Leino did anything other then try his hardest to look invisible on the ice.

[under_par_00 45]

ZDH with Lids/Raf= 1st pp unit... Though Z and Pavel were separated at times, this has been our best pp set for awhile. People are apt to minimize Hudler's contributions due to resentment--it's understandable but his playmaking skill was third on the team after Hank and Pavel and contributed to puck possession/offense game in and game out.

First of all, I do not resent Hudler in any way. Check my previous posts if you have to (don't waste your time), and I usually have nothing but good things to say about Hudler.

He is a very good offensive player, but his PP contribution is just getting a little overrated in this thread. Last year the first PP was Hossa - Dats - Homer, and the second PP was Hudler - Z - Franzen.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

....

Hudler is not a natural goal-scorer. He is a tiny forward who can only score in specific situations, namely with absolutely nobody covering him. Since everyone is bigger than he is, he has absolutely no chance of scoring if he's contested.

I have never once read a post of your's that has been backed up by a single statistic or example.

Even if your ridiculous exageration were to be true, that would still mean he would score in certain situations, something he did 23 times last year and helped do 34. Hudler wasen't perfect, but he sure as hell was a better and more talented player than every single one of our forwards last year besides Zetterberg and Datsyuk (refereing to actual raw talent, I obviously believe Hossa and Franzen were better players overall, but if you gave Hudler either one of their bodies he would be better than either easily).

The impact Hudler could have had on our team is far more significant than people like us to believe. Hudler is probably the most skilled player behind the Euro twins and while I know it's fun to make jokes about Hudler being soft, he brings an element that we're missing right now. If you take a moment to look at our lines you'll notice that in reality, we're using a lot of grinders and very few skilled players which is a large part in why our offense has struggled. Hudler would have an instant impact on the second PP and would provide a dangerous threat in the offensive zone that we lack outside of our first line. It's rather baffling the irrational dislike that people have for Hudler in the misguided belief that players can't overcome the flaw of being "soft" through production. Take a moment and think about what Hudler brings... PRODUCTION. How many of our other players bring that trait?

People are just so blinded by the soft euro identity that they aren't willing to see that Hudler is an offensive specialist and a damn good one at that.

Silence, the great CRYMSON states otherwise. Nevermind the countless statsitics, examples, or comparisons to those not producing, your spelling and understanding of the English language is nowhere near as good as CRYMSON's so your opinion is void.

I'd take him over Leino, but there both scrubs. Plus, he'd obviously be on the IR by now, so he wouldnt have any impact. Just the way the seasons gone, all our important players (cept J Willy) have gotten hurt. Of course the Leinos, and Lebda have been healthy for all the games though

Last I checked, both Franzen and Val have missed more games this season than Hudler had missed in his entire North American career.

With that being said, Hudler is not a scrub. At the young age of 24, on the 3rd line no less, Hudler tallied 23 goals and 57 points, all with very limited even strength linemates, and with less than 14 minutes a game barring major injuries. In comparison, Pavel Datsyuk had 11 goals and 35 points in his 24 year old season, mainly one being paired with Brett Hull on the second line, and on a second powerplay unit that included Robaitallie and Hull.

I am not saying that Hudler will ever be as good as Datsyuk, but he was certainly farther along than him in playing ability and skill maturation at the same age. To dismiss the notion that Hudler could make a similar leap as Datsyuk did is being close minded and biased. He will never be as good as Pavel, mainly due to his size that limits his ability to backcheck and take punishment effectivily, but he very well could top 90 points as a pure scorer, and if you disagree.....

57 points (12-14 minutes of Ice Time, /w offensive juggernaughts such as Helm, Sammy, and Cleary/Outlet passes from ******* Lebda, Top 20 player in points per minute played)

is better than...

35 points (15+ minutes of Ice Time, paired with one of the greatest snipers of all time Brett Hull, as well as a 2nd powerplay unit that frequently included 2-3 hall of famers all still producing.)

I wouldn't say that. He was on the 2nd PP mostly with Zetterberg and Franzen. Put him on the 2nd PP this year with Big Bert and Cleary and it will not look the same. Never the less, it would still look better than it does without him IMO.

While I do agree with your point about Hudler being overated on the 2nd pp unit, he most certainly was still an important factor, and I personally believe that his vision was more integral to the units success than Franzen's contributions, (though I do readily admit Franzen is obviously a more important and better overall player).

Edited December 13, 2009 by EZBAKETHAGANGSTA