98 replies to this topic

[thedisappearer]

Can anyone tie a name to the "we can get a better UFA at Hudler's price"? For the life of me, I can't think of one.

[Konnan511]

Hudler was terrible on the second line last year and terrible in general when given more ice team with a loaded Red Wing's roster so that more TOI argument is so bunk.

Would I like him back? Yes. Do we need another soft Euro? No. Would we accept a soft Euro who can score? Yes. Does Hudler have the greatest slogan of all-time? Yes.

Lets go Ved Vings!!!!!!!!

[DEVILSWATERBOY]

I have always like Huds even though he can not play D and skates like he has an anchor dragging behind, he always found the a way to score I am all for it get er done

[Kira]

If this is really true that he took one for the team, not only would I welcome him back, but I'd be waiting at the airport with roses.

[F.Michael]

Can anyone tie a name to the "we can get a better UFA at Hudler's price"? For the life of me, I can't think of one.

At Hudler's price?...Nobody available...For a few million more?...Possibly Frolov, but doubtful Holland would offer him a contract.

EDIT - Nix that idea of Frolov; just found out that he currently makes $4 million...I'm sure he's thinking $5 million plus which pretty much keeps us outta the running for his services.

Edited by F.Michael, 16 March 2010 - 10:51 AM.

[EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

At Hudler's price?...Nobody available...For a few million more?...Possibly Frolov, but doubtful Holland would offer him a contract.

EDIT - Nix that idea of Frolov; just found out that he currently makes $4 million...I'm sure he's thinking $5 million plus which pretty much keeps us outta the running for his services.

Theres also the factor that Hudler is a much better and effective player than Frolov

[rage]

I don't miss him personally, but his points would have been nice this year.

For what Huds is locked up on, I'd rather see that money spent on a Free Agent that actually wants to play for the Detroit Red Wings.

[king_malice]

No matter if you like him or not, you are NOT going to find another UFA/RFA out there that can put up his points, already knows the system and has chemistry with the guys on the team. He comes back you have an instant impact player, you get someone new and it takes them a 10-15 games to get some chemistry and the system down.


Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Zetterberg-Filppula-Hudler
Bertuzzi-Cleary-Williams
Eaves/Abby-Helm-Draper

[F.Michael]

I don't miss him personally, but his points would have been nice this year.

For what Huds is locked up on, I'd rather see that money spent on a Free Agent that actually wants to play for the Detroit Red Wings.

Agreed - however I am not aware of any UFA forward (other than Kovalchuk) who'll be worth their paycheck?...From what I recall the list isn't all that impressive, and with little high-end talent on that list I can expect guys like Kovalchuk, and Frolov will be outta most GMs price list.

[Frozen-Man]

He would have gotten top 6 minutes for sure rather than 13:30... you realise if you gave him Filppula's minutes with his scoring rate from last year and he'd be prorated for well over 70 points this year right? You do realise that last year he had a better scoring pace than Franzen, Zetterberg, and Filppula right? Don't try to argue, I have the stats prorated for ES, PP, and Pk time, and if Hudler switched any of their minutes he would outpreform them substancially (well Franzen by 2 points, but Z and Fil by 10+ points)

I like Jiri a lot and would be glad to have him back on the team however, you can't prorate out what a player would have if he had been given more minutes. Who knows if the would have been more worn down, less energetic than he was when his time was limited, would have meshed well with other players who also got those big minutes. There are just to many variables to say for example that if a player scores 1 point averaging 5 minutes of ice time he will automatically score 4 points when given 20 minutes of ice time. It's not a static situation and therefore not adept to static numbers.

[F.Michael]

I like Jiri a lot and would be glad to have him back on the team however, you can't prorate out what a player would have if he had been given more minutes. Who knows if the would have been more worn down, less energetic than he was when his time was limited, would have meshed well with other players who also got those big minutes. There are just to many variables to say for example that if a player scores 1 point averaging 5 minutes of ice time he will automatically score 4 points when given 20 minutes of ice time. It's not a static situation and therefore not adept to static numbers.

Ericsson was given more ice time with the thought that he'll play better, and be more of an asset to the Red Wings...Unfortunately it didn't turn out that way; Hudler may very well be the same.

[Frozen-Man]

Ericsson was given more ice time with the thought that he'll play better, and be more of an asset to the Red Wings...Unfortunately it didn't turn out that way; Hudler may very well be the same.

Good point and I agree some guys reach their pinnacle when there is less pressure on them. They are not expected to produce near as much so no pressure, not to mention that you have a whole lot more energy when you play 13 minutes rather than 21. I'm not saying Huds wouldn't produce more with more time I just don't think you can project it out from what he produces with less time.

[Drake_Marcus]

From what I understood, Huds knew he was going to win more in arbitration than the Wings could afford. He didn't want to play for another team in the NHL so he went to the KHL so that the Wings would still have his rights and he could return after this season when everyone knew we would have more cap room. So really, he wanted to play so badly for the Wings that he went to the KHL so that he wouldn't have to go to another NHL team. This could be wrong, but this is what I understood the situation to be. Also, he may decide now he wants to stay over there because the hookers, I mean money is so good.

You're right.

Ericsson was given more ice time with the thought that he'll play better, and be more of an asset to the Red Wings...Unfortunately it didn't turn out that way; Hudler may very well be the same.

I have no idea how you think these parallels can be drawn between a rookie d-man who's struggled in his first season and a 4th year forward who's gotten better each year and just put a 57 pt season together.

Ericsson had games where he was very good, games where he was good and games where he was horrible. That's what you expect from a rookie defenseman. Luckily Holland is smart enough to give Big Rig more time to put his NHL game together.

[Finnish Wing]

Ericsson was given more ice time with the thought that he'll play better, and be more of an asset to the Red Wings...Unfortunately it didn't turn out that way; Hudler may very well be the same.

As a defenseman, when you get more ice time you get more chances to screw things up and make mistakes that lead to goals. When you're a forward, however, you get more chances to score goals and make plays.

[The Noodle 39]

I always thought Hudler was the next coming of a Paul Kariya type player! The kid did well with us while playing with limited ice time. I forgive Hudler and God bless the little guy and lets embrace him back and watch this kid soar to new heights!!!

[vOrophin]

He would have gotten top 6 minutes for sure rather than 13:30... you realise if you gave him Filppula's minutes with his scoring rate from last year and he'd be prorated for well over 70 points this year right? You do realise that last year he had a better scoring pace than Franzen, Zetterberg, and Filppula right? Don't try to argue, I have the stats prorated for ES, PP, and Pk time, and if Hudler switched any of their minutes he would outpreform them substancially (well Franzen by 2 points, but Z and Fil by 10+ points)



Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Zetterberg-Filppula-Hudler
Bertuzzi-Cleary-Williams
HDE

And if you did the same for the other players on the roster this year they would have the same point totals they had last year, barring games missed due to injury.

The Wings are scoring less this year, everyone's point totals are lower. That is what I meant by him probably not putting up as many points this year.

[superstarsingh]

Huds will be back and at $2.85 million he is a steal! He will help the PP for sure.

[wingsownnhl43]

Last year Hudler and Filppula had the exact same "points per minute" at even strength. (ie if you gave Hudler Filppula's ES minutes last year, he would have scored a whopping .1 point more than Filppula). I think Filppula would have a higher points per minute at even strength if Filppula didn't play in all situations.

I'm sick of the "hudler did so well with so little minutes" gig. If you gave Filppula Hudler's PP time last year, Filppula scores over 50 points and Hudler doesn't even break 40. All his points came from the massive amount of PP time he got. Only Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom got more.

I'll even go further. Last year, Hudler had .113 PPM on the PP. This year Filppula has .083. BUT, compare the linemates they had on the PP.

http://www.dobberhockey.com/frozenpool_linecombo.php?selForward=DETFILPPULA%2CVALTTERI&period=ALL&situation=PP&games=2009-2010%3AR%3A99&Submit=Show+Line+Combinations&sent=go
http://www.dobberhockey.com/frozenpool_linecombo.php?selForward=DETHUDLER%2CJIRI&period=ALL&situation=PP&games=2008-2009%3AR%3A99&Submit=Show+Line+Combinations&sent=go

It's black and white.

I love that there is someone else on here that appreciates Flip as much as I do. Although, I will say Hudler is more gifted ioffensively and capable of racking up a higher point total than Filppula.

My thing with Hudler is that he makes me nervous during 5 on 5 play and at times, can be a liability. He has had some pretty nice playoff games though, so hopefully he comes back and puts my fears to rest. Id be happy to have Happy back .

[T-Ruff]

Ever since he left I expected him to be back someday, I was guessing at the end of his contract. It will work out great for the Wings as he will be 2 years a better player and still have to honour his awarded contract. No hard feelings from me, I'll be excited to see him again and I think its definitely going to happen.

[Original-Six]

I'd much rather see this money spent on a free agent who isn't the size of a peewee player.

i woukd much rather they spend money on a player that can produce. (AKA Hudler)