291 replies to this topic

[Doc Holliday]

Unless someone else comes along and flashes a bit of money in his face. He seems to have learned a thing or two from the girls he hangs out with:)

Like who?

Edited by Doc Holliday, 20 April 2010 - 07:34 PM.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Unless someone else comes along and flashes a bit of money in his face. He seems to have learned a thing or two from the girls he hangs out with:)

Exactly.people don't seem to get that in here...

[Drake_Marcus]

Some of you sound like ex-girlfriends. Hudler's obviously hurt your fragile emotions because you've got an irrational hatred of him.

Facts:
--> Hudler's arbitration process ate up time and space for Holland and put him in a tough spot (note that Filppula almost went to arbitration the year before but signed the day before).
--> Hudler was offered a $5,000,000 a year contract in Russia that was tax-free (which means it was roughly the equivalent of being offered a $10,000,000 pre-tax contract in the US).
--> This KHL offer came right after the Wings declared that they intended to go to arbitration with Hudler.
--> Holland told Hudler he couldn't possibly match that and said he understood that Hudler couldn't turn that kind of money down (indeed-- the entire team has been supportive of Hudler this year and has stayed in contact with him, read the news clippings if you don't believe me).
--> The NHL stated that they would fight Hudler's defection because he got the KHL contract after having agreed to arbitration (which is a legally binding contract between him and the Wings).
--> Holland told reporters that the NHL's decision to fight Hudler's defection tied his hands because it suddenly made it possible that Hudler could be forced to play for the Wings. Holland stated that he couldn't sign players using the Hudler money until the NHL's fight over his status was over.

That last point is why we lost out on all the good free agents. Holland would've spend the Hudler money on July 9th if the NHL didn't state that they'd fight his defection with every legal means they had. Holland and Hudler agreed that he'd take the contract in the KHL and go to arbitration simply to make sure the Wings kept his rights.

Holland knew Hudler would take the KHL contract-- Jiri told him so. It's retarded to say otherwise.

July 1st, 2009: Start of free agency period

July 5th, 2009: Hudler files for arbitration

July 5th, 2009: Sammy signs with the Canucks-- Holland chooses to spend his money on the better player (Hudler-- disagree if you want but Sammy had a career year in Vancouver this year-- getting 53pts yet Hudler got 57pts last season and was clearly trending upwards in his development).

July 8th or 9th, 2009: Hudler signs a deal with the KHL
(Hudler and Holland already knew he'd be playing in Russia before this point)

At this point Holland could've signed someone with Hudler's money.

July 10th, 2009: The NHL files a formal complaint to the IIHF and makes it clear to Holland that they will fight this as long as they possibly can. Now Holland's hands are tied because he doesn't know for sure that Hudler will be allowed to go to the KHL. Thus Holland can't spend money until the NHL's legal fight is over unless he wants to risk being significantly over the cap in October.

The NHL's legal fight about Hudler isn't settled until August 3rd. At that point Holland is free to spend the Hudler money.

The legal fight over Hudler's rights is what tied Holland's hands. Holland and Hudler's side had an agreement done long before then but Holland couldn't spend the money until he knew the NHL wouldn't win their battle over Hudler's rights.

Sources:

http://www.wingingit...5-75-million-in

http://www.mlive.com...hudler_two.html

http://puckagency.bl...samuelsson.html

We lost out on Sammy because of Hudler-- yes. But at the time Holland was 100% correct to choose Hudler over Sammy. Hudler was 25 years old and had just put 57pts up. He had increased his NHL point totals every year since his rookie year and was on the up-swing. Sammy was 32 and wanted the same money as Hudler but had significantly less upside. Even with his brilliant year this year (53pts) he failed to match Hudler's 08-09 point total (57pts). People here will call Hudler painfully one dimensional etc but Sammy was only rarely used on the PK here and filled virtually the exact same spot in Detroit as Hudler.

Everything else is just people playing Monday-morning quarterback.

[titanium2]

I'm happy for the offense that Hudler will be back. I just hope it doesn't that Filppula won't get anymore power play time. Consistent power play time.

[EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Exactly.people don't seem to get that in here...

As if you wouldn't do the same thing in his situation... get off yourf****** High Horse

[2guns]

My giant hockey brain just ate all of the haters faces. Suck on that.

Winner!

[Drake_Marcus]

Winner!

Thanks!

[tinistien]

it would be sweet to see happy huds again. i miss that guy.

[micah]

Like who?

If he puts on just a few more inches in height and works on playing a more physical game, I could see the WNBA being interested.

[gowingsgo]

So when is Huds coming back to play?

[Drake_Marcus]

So when is Huds coming back to play?

Most likely in October 2010.

[F.Michael]

So when is Huds coming back to play?

My guess is he'll be back for the fall camp.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

If he puts on just a few more inches in height and works on playing a more physical game, I could see the WNBA being interested.

Bravo

[newfy]

Say all you want about him not being the reason we were handcuffed etc.

The guy is still the most one dimensional player I think I've ever seen. 57 points doesn't mean that much when you can't play on a 2nd line because youre not responsible enough defensively

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Say all you want about him not being the reason we were handcuffed etc.

The guy is still the most one dimensional player I think I've ever seen. 57 points doesn't mean that much when you can't play on a 2nd line because youre not responsible enough defensively

THATS WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING nobody in heref****** gets it.he's not that great of a player.

[titanium2]

THATS WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING nobody in heref****** gets it.he's not that great of a player.

Well he's coming back. Sooner or later most people will just have to accentuate the positives of his.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Well he's coming back. Sooner or later most people will just have to accentuate the positives of his.

i guess all i can hope for now is for Kenny to trade him.

[F.Michael]

Say all you want about him not being the reason we were handcuffed etc.

The guy is still the most one dimensional player I think I've ever seen. 57 points doesn't mean that much when you can't play on a 2nd line because youre not responsible enough defensively

Agreed - although I will say 57 points is pretty impressive considering his ice time, but I dunno if he can repeat, or get even more with the same ice time year after year...Guess we'll find out soon enough.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Agreed - although I will say 57 points is pretty impressive considering his ice time, but I dunno if he can repeat, or get even more with the same ice time year after year...Guess we'll find out soon enough.

I'm just afraid he'll be another Ville Leino-type situation.

[Doc Holliday]

Agreed - although I will say 57 points is pretty impressive considering his ice time, but I dunno if he can repeat, or get even more with the same ice time year after year...Guess we'll find out soon enough.

I would say it is pretty likely considering he has improved since he started in the NHL.


The hate is strong in this thread.

I'm just afraid he'll be another Ville Leino-type situation.

Wow. Of all the posts in this thread...

You think Jiri Hudler, who has steadily improved over his career with the Red Wings, earned a Stanley Cup, and scored 57 points last season while on the THIRD LINE, is comparable to Ville Leino, who had a whopping 16 points in 55 games and showed ZERO signs of competitiveness and improvement during his short stay?

Good grief.

Edited by Doc Holliday, 21 April 2010 - 03:48 PM.