53 replies to this topic

[DatsyukianDeke13]

I don't know about you guys, but I think having Hudler next year will be huge for this team. We don't have the depth we once had, but Hudler will provide some of that. Plus, maybe, just maybe, it will keep Bertuzzi off of the top two lines....one can dream


If not, he is a pretty good bargaining chip, IMO.

[Hossa4Life]

As long as williams is off the team we stand a chance

[SaCkaveli20]

Maybe Ericcsson can get an 'A' in Grand Rapids!!!!!!

[VM1138]

Hudler isn't THE answer, but he's certainly a key puzzle piece. I expect him to be pretty rusty, and it'll take him a while to warm up, so I just want him to score some goals.

He should help a little with the goal scoring, though once we got healthy this year scoring didn't seem to be a big problem. But the depth he provides will help immensely.

I still feel we need a guaranteed goal scorer, though. Someone like....Pavelski? Haha.

[brett]

we need defense not offense

but huds> bert

wonder how hell handle 2nd line ice time

Edited by brett, 04 May 2010 - 10:28 PM.

[DatsyukianDeke13]

As long as williams is off the team we stand a chance

Maybe the Shark said "Jason, if you throw the game, there will be a spot for you here in San Jose"


Btw, you're avatar is awesome. Frank in the music shop when they created a band....one of my all time favorite episodes.

[BamaWing]

we need defense not offense

exactly we had 17 guys playing forward in that last minute of ot. that got us far

[Z and D for the C]

I don't envision Hudler making a difference in a series like this. Much like he didn't in the second half of the playoffs last year.

[DatsyukianDeke13]

Hudler isn't THE answer, but he's certainly a key puzzle piece. I expect him to be pretty rusty, and it'll take him a while to warm up, so I just want him to score some goals.

He should help a little with the goal scoring, though once we got healthy this year scoring didn't seem to be a big problem. But the depth he provides will help immensely.

I still feel we need a guaranteed goal scorer, though. Someone like....Pavelski? Haha.

Marleau will be a free agent and if Lidstrom retires, we will certainly have the cap space....


(NICK, NOOOOOOOOOO)

[brett]

Marleau will be a free agent and if Lidstrom retires, we will certainly have the cap space....


(NICK, NOOOOOOOOOO)

lids retires i will be very scared for next season with the defense we have now

[ShanahanMan]

you guys DO realize Huds will be making 3.5 mil a year right? Thats a lot of mullah for an already cap tight team. Is he really worth it? I personally dont see him making any difference. I'd honestly rather trade his rights away, and use that 3.5 mil for some better assets.

Edited by ShanahanMan, 04 May 2010 - 11:19 PM.

[rbkhockey43]

As long as williams is off the team we stand a chance

Agreed.

I used to be 29 on my team... Switched when wlliama came to the wings

[Hossa4Life]

you guys DO realize Huds will be making 3.5 mil a year right? Thats a lot of mullah for an already cap tight team. Is he really worth it? I personally dont see him making any difference. I'd honestly rather trade his rights away, and use that 3.5 mil for some better assets.

Yea just trade him and a pick for hossa.

[Aussie_Wing]

Bertuzzi has been average at best these playoffs. Unfortunately he's just too streaky these days to depend on. Hudler is a bit streaky himself but is more potent on the PP and at least clicks with Hank as well as Flip.

I'd love to see Flip and Huds re-unite.

[ShanahanMan]

Yea just trade him and a pick for hossa.

If Holland did do something similar to that last season, we'd still have Hossa in our lineup.

[Aussie_Wing]

you guys DO realize Huds will be making 3.5 mil a year right? Thats a lot of mullah for an already cap tight team. Is he really worth it? I personally dont see him making any difference. I'd honestly rather trade his rights away, and use that 3.5 mil for some better assets.

Umm, Huds is at $2.875.

Hudler's salary >> Cleary's.

[eva unit zero]

you guys DO realize Huds will be making 3.5 mil a year right? Thats a lot of mullah for an already cap tight team. Is he really worth it? I personally dont see him making any difference. I'd honestly rather trade his rights away, and use that 3.5 mil for some better assets.

Since when did he get a raise from the 2-year, $2.875m deal he was given in arbitration that he will be coming back to? And how did he manage it, for that matter?

And BTW...there are no better players than Hudler making his cap hit who are available on the free agent market. Before you say "Yeah, but what about the money we're getting back if Lidstrom takes a pay cut or retires?" I will respond with "Hudler is replacing Jason Williams, who costs $1.5m" so that's only a $1.375m increase and it's likely that Holmstrom will take a pay cut if he returns, further reducing that. If Bertuzzi negotiates a deal, he'll likely ask for around $2.5m-$3m so I don't know if he'll be back.

But regardless, who do you suggest we sign for $2.875m that is a UFA instead of having young, soon-to-be-prime top-line caliber scoring forward Hudler who can also play above-average defense? I can't wait to hear the response to this. It might be someone as good as RJ Umberger or Matt Cullen!

[ShanahanMan]

Umm, Huds is at $2.875.

Hudler's salary >> Cleary's.

Was off about 500,000. He will be making exactly 3 mil when he comes back. Still, is he worth that?

I'm going off the 10/11 salary numbers listed on nhlnumbers. Am i missing something?

Edited by ShanahanMan, 04 May 2010 - 11:48 PM.

[Manoir]

It might be someone as good as RJ Umberger or Matt Cullen!

I'd rather have Umberger or Cullen than Hudler. Cullen is basically a 50 pt guy who has some size and was a major force vs Pitts for Ottawa. Umberger has good size and could be useful as a 2nd line goal scorer, plus he picks up his game in the playoffs.I'm not too comfortable having so many guys under 6 feet tall on the top two lines.

[Aussie_Wing]

Yes, size is all that matters...

Completely ignoring the fact that Hudler has shown he IS a playoffs performer and we've won the Cup and lost in the SCF with him.

I can't wait for Hudler to be back in the line-up.