359 replies to this topic

[Crymson]

Well, Hudler has gone on a long journey with the Wings. He did great in GR, worked his way up to the Wings, scored some big goals in the '08 playoffs, had his breakout season in '09, got a big arbitration reward that summer, left after making the Wings wait--and thus exhausting most of the free agent pool--did very well in Russia, and then this year made a triumphant return to the team, and promptly put in what was probably the worst performance of any forward on the team and was certainly the worst performance of any forward on the team as far as salary-per-performance goes. Then, finally, he was generally worthless in the playoffs.

Any thoughts on what should be done with him going forward?

Edited by Crymson, 13 May 2011 - 11:18 AM.

[Blood On The Ice]

Well, Hudler has gone on a long journey with the Wings. He did great in GR, worked his way up to the Wings, scored some big goals in the '08 playoffs, had his breakout season in '09, got a big arbitration reward that summer, left after making the Wings wait--and thus exhausting most of the free agent pool--did very well in Russia, and then this year made a triumphant return to the team, and promptly put in what was probably the worst performance of any forward on the team and was certainly the worst performance of any forward on the team as far as salary-per-performance goes. Then, finally, he was generally worthless in the playoffs.

Any thoughts on what should be done with him going forward?

Yeah, the Firing squad.

[mmamolo]

Should be or will be?

Those will be two extremely different responses on this board. Here's my take:

Will be - he'll have a roster spot next season and at the beginning of the year it will be in the top 9 just as it was at the beginning of this season. The Wings won't give up on him. The'll give him the benefit of the doubt that his speed wasn't up to par after his season in the KHL and it took a longer adjustment period than they expected. They'll stand by their assesment of his talent and continue to give him a chance to reach his game.

Should - My personal opinion is that he should still be given that chance. With the cap potentially rising, Draper's $1.5M/Modano's $1.75M coming off the books (even if Draper is back it will be at a substantially lower hit) there is already more flexibility there. Hudler's cap hit won't be as restricting as it was this year. When he got his legs back he did produce. That doesn't mean that I think his current salary is appropriate but that doesn't mean he should be shipped out of town either. I think Hudler does have a chance to regain and hopefully surpass his career high in production. If he doesn't do that this season his next contract dollar value should reflect that or don't have to bring him back. But to me he can still be a useful player on this team

[blueadams]

Well, Hudler has gone on a long journey with the Wings. He did great in GR, worked his way up to the Wings, scored some big goals in the '08 playoffs, had his breakout season in '09, got a big arbitration reward that summer, left after making the Wings wait--and thus exhausting most of the free agent pool--did very well in Russia, and then this year made a triumphant return to the team, and promptly put in what was probably the worst performance of any forward on the team and was certainly the worst performance of any forward on the team as far as salary-per-performance goes. Then, finally, he was generally worthless in the playoffs.

Any thoughts on what should be done with him going forward?

Hudler was actually terrific in games six and seven, after babs scratched him in game 5. i'd like to see what he can do in a top six role for an entire season - next season - before he becomes a free agent and we have to make a decision. he seems to play really well with capable linemates. he's a terrific passer, great puck handler...and he's starting to skate a little bit better, and get a little gritty as well.

[Konnan511]

He will be back next year but he should be traded at the draft for a mid tier pick or a strong DMan.

[hillbillywingsfan]

count down begins until eva ....5......4.....3.....2.....


Yea i just feel he's to up and down...he plays great in a game and then next game he stinks it up...i just feel its time for he and big e to hit the bricks and we try out some new blood.

Thats just me as a hockey fan not going by stats but rather just feelings and what i see.

[b.shanafan14]

Jiri Hudler never came back from Russia. You said it well, he worked up from GR, played well despite his size and then the summer of 2009. Waited it out, handcuffing the Wings in free agency, left, and came back supposed to be a difference maker and failed miserably. Last night was possibly his worst game yet even when you don't mention the clumsy blind-siding of an actually effective player in Dan Cleary. He was called upon to take on big minutes, especially with the extra man and between him and Rafalski, managed to render all Red Wings powerplays worthless.

I agree with the firing squad comment. Either way, give me Miller, Eaves, or Draper any day, and I have no idea why we couldn't have played Modano. Still baffles me, but that's Babcock's issue. Trade or waive Hudler, at least with Filppula's contract we get solid defensive skill, more hustle, and equal/greater offensive capability.

[mmamolo]

I honestly think you all have blinders on when you watch Hudler. I'm not going to sit here and praise him as though he's the greatest player on the planet but sometimes I think I'm not watching the same game as the rest of you. I can see his faults and when he has s***ty games (which he certainly did this year) but the absolute refusal of the vast majority of posters on this site to give absolutely any credit where credit is due to Hudler is just flat out absurd. I just don't understand how most posters on this site can honestly feel as though they're watching things objectively.

[hillbillywingsfan]

I honestly think you all have blinders on when you watch Hudler. I'm not going to sit here and praise him as though he's the greatest player on the planet but sometimes I think I'm not watching the same game as the rest of you. I can see his faults and when he has s***ty games (which he certainly did this year) but the absolute refusal of the vast majority of posters on this site to give absolutely any credit where credit is due to Hudler is just flat out absurd. I just don't understand how most posters on this site can honestly feel as though they're watching things objectively.

so 5 out of 1000's is the majority? what we can't have our opinions toward him? we have to agree with you?

[Konnan511]

I honestly think you all have blinders on when you watch Hudler. I'm not going to sit here and praise him as though he's the greatest player on the planet but sometimes I think I'm not watching the same game as the rest of you. I can see his faults and when he has s***ty games (which he certainly did this year) but the absolute refusal of the vast majority of posters on this site to give absolutely any credit where credit is due to Hudler is just flat out absurd. I just don't understand how most posters on this site can honestly feel as though they're watching things objectively.

For his pay, he was severely underperforming in the regular season and playoffs. The hot debate is who would you rather have, Filppula or Hudler. Filppula had more points and skates extremely extremely well and plays top level defense and is a proven playoff performer (tied for second in team playoff scoring this postseason). Hudler is replaceable, and at his cap hit, it'd be a better idea to replace him with a team need.

Cue the Eva "Hudler had stretched where he lead the team in points and I won't acknowledge Filppula had stretched where he lead the team in points".

Hudler had solid games in games 6 and 7, and he even showed he is capable of laying out guys.

[T.Low]

Jiri Hudler never came back from Russia. You said it well, he worked up from GR, played well despite his size and then the summer of 2009. Waited it out, handcuffing the Wings in free agency, left, and came back supposed to be a difference maker and failed miserably. Last night was possibly his worst game yet even when you don't mention the clumsy blind-siding of an actually effective player in Dan Cleary. He was called upon to take on big minutes, especially with the extra man and between him and Rafalski, managed to render all Red Wings powerplays worthless.

I agree with the firing squad comment. Either way, give me Miller, Eaves, or Draper any day, and I have no idea why we couldn't have played Modano. Still baffles me, but that's Babcock's issue. Trade or waive Hudler, at least with Filppula's contract we get solid defensive skill, more hustle, and equal/greater offensive capability.

You, Sir, are right frikin on!

[Frozen-Man]

Well, Hudler has gone on a long journey with the Wings. He did great in GR, worked his way up to the Wings, scored some big goals in the '08 playoffs, had his breakout season in '09, got a big arbitration reward that summer, left after making the Wings wait--and thus exhausting most of the free agent pool--did very well in Russia, and then this year made a triumphant return to the team, and promptly put in what was probably the worst performance of any forward on the team and was certainly the worst performance of any forward on the team as far as salary-per-performance goes. Then, finally, he was generally worthless in the playoffs.

Any thoughts on what should be done with him going forward?

I don't know he laid a pretty sweet hit on #11 yesterday, maybe he just needs to be played in more of an enforcer role.

[HankthaTank]

I don't want him back and can't imagine he would be. Some want to maximize his potential, yada yada but that is actually what I want for Flip instead as he brings a much better game all around. Dump Huds, bring in some defense.

[BuckeyeWingsfan80]

Hopefully Hudler's future is with a different team....

[Majsheppard]

I would call up Atlanta asap and make that deal that was supposedly on the table.

Hudler and Ericsson for Zach Bogosian. It would be addition by subtraction. Hudler had a HORRIBLE series, and deserves some of the blame for game 7. I don't get why Modano wasn't in, if anyone would have played their asses off to win, it would have been him.

[MGreenberg]

Said it in another thread. Back to Russia with Hudler. He was lousy against SJ.

[Grim]

Kenny no longer has the cajones to make a trade. Huds will either be offered an extension or simply dumped in free agency once his contract expires.

[The Secret]

I hope Invisible Jiri will finally be traded.... will be a good riddance imo

[haroldsnepsts]

Well he's signed through next season, so barring Holland pulling off some great trade or waiving his ass, looks like it's another year of Hudler.

[Hockeytown_Ryan]

Kenny no longer has the cajones to make a trade. Huds will either be offered an extension or simply dumped in free agency once his contract expires.

I wish he would show players, like Hudler, that are not performing up to standards, that there are places for players like him........else where.

IMO a player deal needs to be made. Even if Flip needs to be included for the right return. We have to make this team better. and not wait for players in the
minors to be ready.