757 replies to this topic

[newfy]

The quietest 8 pts in 10 games Ive seen in some time I might add. Honestly, whether people like Hudler or hate Hudler you've got to look at this objectively. His play has improved dramatically. Obviously there still is room to improve (like taking shot opportunities when they are right in front of him) but lately he has become a far more dangerous offensive player. He is engaging way more and helping to create chances while playing with Filppula and Bertuzzi.

At least he is producing now but watching the games is pathetic. His lack of defensive competence and strength is baffling. I really hope he continues to put up points, but only to increase his trade value.

He was a 4th liner the last 2 playoffs (he might've even been scratched in 08), and that was for good reason. His game does not translate to the playoffs when it gets rough. Get someone who can contribute when it matters most and use Hudler as a piece in a trade

[Doc Holliday]

At least he is producing now but watching the games is pathetic. His lack of defensive competence and strength is baffling. I really hope he continues to put up points, but only to increase his trade value.

He was a 4th liner the last 2 playoffs (he might've even been scratched in 08), and that was for good reason. His game does not translate to the playoffs when it gets rough. Get someone who can contribute when it matters most and use Hudler as a piece in a trade

He wasn't scratched in either playoff year.

[Drake_Marcus]

He wasn't scratched in either playoff year.

Indeed. In 08 he was one of the team's top scorers through the first two rounds.

Also, I wasn't aware they removed the PP from the playoffs. In that case Newfy's right in saying Hudler's game doesn't translate to the playoffs. No need for a PP specialist forward.

[mmamolo]

At least he is producing now but watching the games is pathetic. His lack of defensive competence and strength is baffling. I really hope he continues to put up points, but only to increase his trade value.

He was a 4th liner the last 2 playoffs (he might've even been scratched in 08), and that was for good reason. His game does not translate to the playoffs when it gets rough. Get someone who can contribute when it matters most and use Hudler as a piece in a trade

This is exactly what I am talking about. Hudler has become this year's whipping boy so people have blinders on when looking at his game. If people would for one second look at thing objectively you might gain some perspective. Hudler was never the most defensively skilled forward so to expect him to suddenly make a vast improvement to that area of his game is being unrealistic. Maybe you should take note of the turnover he created, in Saturday's game against Columbus, at our blueline that lead to Filppula's goal. Not the greatest defensive play in the world but it was a solid defensive play none the less that sent the Wings moving the other way and turned the momentum in the Wings favour. Secondly, you want to quote strength. The guy is small and always has been. Again, you can point out the negatives to the guy's game that have been there since the day the Wing's drafted him all you want. If you want you can also point out that Lidstrom isn't a physical defenseman that is a real bummer because the 2010-11 Wings team, according to so many on this forum, lack team grit but it doesnt mean that Lidstrom doesn't have other redeemable qualities. Pointing out someone's flaws (Hudler's lack of defensive competence and strength) doesnt diminish his positives. It's just a weak attempt to hide his redeemable qualities.

No one is going to say that this year has been a good, or even decent, year so far for Hudler. But whipping boy or not, people need to learn how to look at things objectively. With the bad comes the good at times and people should give respect where respect is due. Over the course of the last 10 games Hudler play has improved (and yes there is still room to grow). He has stepped up and done a part in the depth scoring that the Wings have needed while the injuries have piled up.

For the record, I'm not even a Hudler slappy

[newfy]

Indeed. In 08 he was one of the team's top scorers through the first two rounds.

Also, I wasn't aware they removed the PP from the playoffs. In that case Newfy's right in saying Hudler's game doesn't translate to the playoffs. No need for a PP specialist forward.

I would hardly call Hudler a PP specialist, Homer is a specialist. He can put up 25 goals a year basically on the PP.

Hudler is a one dimensional player who can play the PP but do you really think Hudler looks like anything special out there? Homer is a huge component of our PP but if the wings were to put Stuart or even Ericcson back there I really doubt it would make much difference. Hudler is on the PP to get him going and get some points, not because he is amazing on the point. Is Jason Williams a PP specialist too, or just a guy who can play the PP.

When Hudler was a 60 point guy, playing much better hockey then this, he was on the 4th line in playoffs. For a guy who contributes so many points you would think he would be getting some quality minutes, but no he doesn't because he doesn't have the right game for playoffs.

Also in 08, the wings had a much more conventional third line of Drake Draper Maltby. They were out on the ice more because they play a playoff style. We won the cup in the end so its hard to argue that philosophy.

[Doc Holliday]

I would hardly call Hudler a PP specialist, Homer is a specialist. He can put up 25 goals a year basically on the PP.

Hudler is a one dimensional player who can play the PP but do you really think Hudler looks like anything special out there? Homer is a huge component of our PP but if the wings were to put Stuart or even Ericcson back there I really doubt it would make much difference. Hudler is on the PP to get him going and get some points, not because he is amazing on the point. Is Jason Williams a PP specialist too, or just a guy who can play the PP.

Hudler had most of his assists in 2009 on the PP, so it would make sense to call him a "specalist" in that area because he gets more performance out of the Powerplay.

When Hudler was a 60 point guy, playing much better hockey then this, he was on the 4th line in playoffs.

And? Regular season performance matters.

For a guy who contributes so many points you would think he would be getting some quality minutes, but no he doesn't because he doesn't have the right game for playoffs.

I'm honestly curious what the point is here. We aren't in the playoffs.

Also in 08, the wings had a much more conventional third line of Drake Draper Maltby. They were out on the ice more because they play a playoff style. We won the cup in the end so its hard to argue that philosophy.

What philosophy? You are just making statements.

Also Hudler had more TOI per game than either Drake or Maltby (also more points than the three combined). He was 9th of forwards in TOI/g and 4th in points total. Draper had more time than any of those three because he was the go-to guy for defensive zone faceoffs at even strength and on the PK.

Edited by Doc Holliday, 17 January 2011 - 07:19 PM.

[newfy]

Also Hudler had more TOI per game than either Drake or Maltby (also more points than the three combined). He was 9th of forwards in TOI/g and 4th in points total. Draper had more time than any of those three because he was the go-to guy for defensive zone faceoffs at even strength and on the PK.

Hudler also played on a stacked powerplay because he was actually good back then. Hudler is not needed on the point to make this power play click, is he getting points? Ya but he is supposed to get some. But there are guys that would be much more valuable to this team come playoffs. And as a wings fan you know everyone is judged on their playoff performances, get real.

Hudler is hopefully going to just build up enough trade value to get him shipped outta here. Get rid of his cap hit for a one dimensional, offensive forward who doesn't produce that much offense.

[Doc Holliday]

Hudler also played on a stacked powerplay because he was actually good back then.

And two years just made him bad? (Also I appreciate the sidestep from your silly "these guys played more than Hudler in the playoffs" argument)

Hudler is not needed on the point to make this power play click, is he getting points? Ya but he is supposed to get some.

So what, he isn't doing what he is supposed to, but he is getting points like he is supposed to?

What exactly is Hudler supposed to do on this team?

But there are guys that would be much more valuable to this team come playoffs. And as a wings fan you know everyone is judged on their playoff performances, get real.

Playoff performance is big but you still need guys who can get you there. Hudler was one of those players and seems to be improving to be one of those again.

Hudler is hopefully going to just build up enough trade value to get him shipped outta here. Get rid of his cap hit for a one dimensional, offensive forward who doesn't produce that much offense.

Hopefully Hudler will produce to a point where he can build on in for next year and be a valuable asset to the Wings again.

[newfy]

Hopefully Hudler will produce to a point where he can build on in for next year and be a valuable asset to the Wings again.

Hudler will never be a valuable asset to the wings at that cap hit for what he brings. In playoffs regardless of salary he really wont be that valuable. He is a 4th liner when it matters with a nearly 3 million dollar cap hit

[Doc Holliday]

Hudler will never be a valuable asset to the wings at that cap hit for what he brings. In playoffs regardless of salary he really wont be that valuable. He is a 4th liner when it matters with a nearly 3 million dollar cap hit

The regular season matters.

You can't have playoff numbers if you can't get there in the first place.

(For the record, cap hits are irrelevant in the playoffs)

For the record, Hudler was SIXTH in points in the 2009 playoffs while being NINTH in forward TOI/g.

How exactly are those fourth line numbers?

Edited by Doc Holliday, 17 January 2011 - 08:17 PM.

[stinky fish taco]

there are still hudler defenders?

really?

[eva unit zero]

The regular season matters.

You can't have playoff numbers if you can't get there in the first place.

(For the record, cap hits are irrelevant in the playoffs)

For the record, Hudler was SIXTH in points in the 2009 playoffs while being NINTH in forward TOI/g.

How exactly are those fourth line numbers?

Doc, he's a fourth liner because he's a small player who's only an average skater, haven't you learned how the haters think? Doesn't matter if he scores 1 points or 100 points. Sure, he hasn't played up to his skill this year offensively, but he has been decent defensively (and gotten NO CREDIT) and has worked harder and been much more present in the corners and in front of the net than the haters give him credit for. When I see Hudler as the first Wing, or at least Wing forward, on the backcheck, that tells me he's working hard on defense and in general. And I've seen it quite a few times. Hudler is one of the slowest forwards on the team, yet has managed to be one of if not the first player back on the backcheck as often as anyone he plays with.
But people ignore that, and instead simply say "Hudler is a slacker, he sucks, he'll never work hard or play defense" just because the points aren't coming his way. If Hudler was on a 20-game scoring streak with 35-40 points in that span right now, you wouldn't hear a peep about him sucking.

[canadian wings fan]

plus 1 to the post above me

[stinky fish taco]

Doc, he's a fourth liner because he's a small player who's only an average skater, haven't you learned how the haters think? Doesn't matter if he scores 1 points or 100 points. Sure, he hasn't played up to his skill this year offensively, but he has been decent defensively (and gotten NO CREDIT) and has worked harder and been much more present in the corners and in front of the net than the haters give him credit for. When I see Hudler as the first Wing, or at least Wing forward, on the backcheck, that tells me he's working hard on defense and in general. And I've seen it quite a few times. Hudler is one of the slowest forwards on the team, yet has managed to be one of if not the first player back on the backcheck as often as anyone he plays with.
But people ignore that, and instead simply say "Hudler is a slacker, he sucks, he'll never work hard or play defense" just because the points aren't coming his way. If Hudler was on a 20-game scoring streak with 35-40 points in that span right now, you wouldn't hear a peep about him sucking.

the wings aren't paying him 2.8mil to slowly backcheck. he needs to put up points - period.

[Doc Holliday]

the wings aren't paying him 2.8mil to slowly backcheck. he needs to put up points - period.

Hudler has 8 points in his last 10.

[Shaman464]

Hudler is improving, it seems hes getting his confidence back and it seems the wing's brass is noticing because hes not been benched lately

Edited by Shaman464, 18 January 2011 - 10:26 AM.

[Crymson]

Doc, he's a fourth liner because he's a small player who's only an average skater, haven't you learned how the haters think? Doesn't matter if he scores 1 points or 100 points. Sure, he hasn't played up to his skill this year offensively, but he has been decent defensively (and gotten NO CREDIT) and has worked harder and been much more present in the corners and in front of the net than the haters give him credit for. When I see Hudler as the first Wing, or at least Wing forward, on the backcheck, that tells me he's working hard on defense and in general. And I've seen it quite a few times. Hudler is one of the slowest forwards on the team, yet has managed to be one of if not the first player back on the backcheck as often as anyone he plays with.
But people ignore that, and instead simply say "Hudler is a slacker, he sucks, he'll never work hard or play defense" just because the points aren't coming his way. If Hudler was on a 20-game scoring streak with 35-40 points in that span right now, you wouldn't hear a peep about him sucking.

I wish you'd give up, Eva. In my eyes, you've lost all credibility when it comes to having a genuine discussion about Osgood or Hudler.

[stinky fish taco]

Hudler has 8 points in his last 10.

and drew miller has 7 in his last 9. so what? my statement was in reply to a long-winded post about hudler's defense (LOL). the point is if he is not putting up points, he brings NOTHING to the table.

maybe if hudler can keep it up for the next 30 games, he'll somewhat be worth what they are paying him. right now, he's not even close. not at all.

[HankthaTank]

If Hudler was on a 20-game scoring streak with 35-40 points in that span right now, you wouldn't hear a peep about him sucking.

Didn't want to ignore the entire post but just wanted this to be read over and over again by most.


Huge if here eva. He isn't doing that right now and yes the blind, uneducated hockey eye will point to Huds sucking. Most of the season it has been true. But he isn't on a 20-game scoring streak with 35-40 points during that but instead has 14 points in a total of 40 GP and a -7 which is in fact, the worse on the team. It isn't a personal attack on one of your boys, it is just the facts. Hopefully he keeps up the better play of late which I think he will.

[stinky fish taco]

i love that. "if he was scoring 2 points a game, no one would say he sucks!"

you don't say!