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Draper or Hudler?

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Draper or Hudler?  

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*GRAND ENTRANCE*

*applause*

Thank you all, and yes, now the real fun begins.

Poll: Draper or Hudler? (54 member(s) have cast votes)

Who would you rather have on the Red Wings?

Draper (26 votes [54.17%] - View)

Hudler (22 votes [45.83%] - View)

So here's my breakdown:

21 people are looking at this logically and chose Hudler

1 person (eva) chose Hudler, well, because, come on...

16 people have irrational Hudler hate and would take a goat on skates over him at this point

6 people love Draper and are rational people, but would admit they want Draper back just because of the love for him and would admit Hudler is a better option at this stage, but still chose Draper

4 people are still stuck in the late 90's and think Shanahan and Fedorov are still viable options and don't even know half the guys on the current team

I was actually the 42nd person to vote for Hudler. It put them into a tie at 42 each.

Actually I only chose Hudler so I would have a reason to post things about how awesome Filppula is. :(

Irrelevant to the question. Filppula is clearly more valuable than either. Draper won't even play regularly if you bring him back and waive Hudler. Filppula is better than Draper defensively, he's more important to the penalty kill, and he's better offensively. And while both Hudler and Filppula would be regulars, Filppula is more important for the reasons I listed above, plus his advantage in that he is a more capable NHL center, and better on faceoffs. Hudler is better offensively, but not so much that a powerful team like the Wings couldn't make the sacrifice of Hudler to get a more solid two-way player like Filppula.

As for Huds vs Draper...

Are you guys on crack???

Draper's skills are that he's good on faceoffs, he's a pretty decent penalty killer, and he's fast.

Let's compare that to the rest of the roster.

Faceoffs: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Filppula, Helm, Franzen, and Abdelkader all are capable faceoff men. Draper is not really a significant upgrade, if at all, over any of them.

PK: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Cleary, Filppula, Abdelkader, Miller, Helm, and Eaves are all better penalty killers.

So ultimately, Draper brings speed. So does Chris Conner. Better speed than Draper, and he's younger. And signed. And there's Helm and Mursak also. Eaves and Cleary also have excellent speed. So why is Draper necessary, regardless of Hudler?

Let's look at what Hudler brings.

Hudler has a very good shot, is an excellent playmaker, and has incredible offensive awareness.

Shot: Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk have better shots. Cleary, Bertuzzi, and Eaves also have good shots.

Playmaking: Datsyuk and maybe Zetterberg are better. Filppula is good also.

Offensive awareness: Datsyuk and again, maybe Zetterberg are better.

So as you can see, Hudler brings more to the team that Draper. By a fairly wide margin. If both were to have the same statistical performances they did last year, Hudler would be the more valuable player. Draper would be the #14 forward. Hudler would be one of the team's more productive scorers. If Hudler performs more along the lines of his second half last year and his 2008-09 season, he would be finishing third on the team in scoring. Second if Dats or Z misses a lot of games again this year.

So... A solid scorer who could be one of the team leaders in goals and points if he plays like he has in the recent past, or a spare part? And half have voted spare part. I suppose this makes sense from people who were upset that a ridiculously overpaid McCarty was cut loose after the lockout.

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I honestly don't understand how any one here could choose a 40 year old Draper over a 27 year old Hudler. This isn't mean tto knock Draper what so ever but the blind hatred of Hudler is ridiculous. Look at team needs versus roster players. Not to mention that if Hudler even has a decent year he will most likely be re-signed and continue to provide something to this franchise. Draper is on his last legs and although he brings a lot to the franchise in terms of morale, experience etc. it just doesn't make sense in my mind to give up on a 27 year old with one bad season in favour of a 40 year old who would most likely play about 40 games next season and then retire.

People on this board weren't happy about losing Ritola last year in favour of keeping Draper. People still hold a grudge about Holland losing Quincey in favour Chelios. Those were two players who, at the time, were completely unestablished at the NHL level. Now this poll is asking if you'd rather a last-legs 40 year old Draper over a 27 year old established player in Hudler. That's absurd...the people on this board (come the end of this season) would be calling Holland and idiot and quoting Quincey and Ritola as prior evidence of a growing trend.

Agree 100%! As big a Draper fan I've been over the years, Hudler's only 27 and can easily bounce back and score 20-25 goals next year.

I'm actually shocked the poll, when I voted, was 50/50.

So... A solid scorer who could be one of the team leaders in goals and points if he plays like he has in the recent past, or a spare part? And half have voted spare part. I suppose this makes sense from people who were upset that a ridiculously overpaid McCarty was cut loose after the lockout.[/font]

As mentioned I voted Hudler, without having to think about it, but I was upset when we cut McCarty loose after the lock out. :lol:

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Draper, he played with hustle in the playoffs something Hudler didn't do. Also I thought Helm played better with Draper on his wing. When Draper was put back into the line-up in the SJ series I could see Helm trying harder.

Hudler was the team's third or fourth best forward in the Phoenix series. You may or may not think he was hustling... but he was definitely a big part in the Wings' first round win. He wasn't productive early in the San Jose series, and was vilified for it, but he certainly was still working out there. Maybe he wasn't working as hard as Draper. I wasn't measuring with my magic wand. But the fact is this. The ONLY value Draper has to this team is his ability on faceoffs. Ask yourself: Do you want a 40 year-old faceoff specialist (who will probably spend more time in the press box than on the ice) instead of a 27 year-old top-six winger with impressive playmaking skills and offensive awareness? If you answered yes to that question, you are not concerned with whether the team wins or loses.

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One thing I don't think people realize with Hudler, he's in a contract year, so you know he's going to put up good numbers.

You're thinking of Zherdev. In fact, I think most people who voted "Draper" may have Hudler confused with Zherdev. Given that many were in the Zherdev thread asking for his addition, yet want Draper over Hudler due to hard work and defensive ability.

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Hudler was the team's third or fourth best forward in the Phoenix series. You may or may not think he was hustling... but he was definitely a big part in the Wings' first round win. He wasn't productive early in the San Jose series, and was vilified for it, but he certainly was still working out there. Maybe he wasn't working as hard as Draper. I wasn't measuring with my magic wand. But the fact is this. The ONLY value Draper has to this team is his ability on faceoffs. Ask yourself: Do you want a 40 year-old faceoff specialist (who will probably spend more time in the press box than on the ice) instead of a 27 year-old top-six winger with impressive playmaking skills and offensive awareness? If you answered yes to that question, you are not concerned with whether the team wins or loses.

He wasn't productive in the SJ series at all. I do care if the Wings win or lose. That is why I would rather have someone with heart, determination, leadership than a very very very streaky "top-six" winger. In their respective roles, Draper did better job at his. Hudler's only value to the Wings right now is that other teams might accept him via a trade, that's about it.

Edited by dragonballgtz

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About f'in time this poll went the right way! I can't even believe it was this close, let alone tipped the other way this long...

You forgot to factor in the time zones. When the poll came out Mrs. Hudler, Grandma Hudler, and the Russian Hookers were all asleep or working.

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He wasn't productive in the SJ series at all. I do care of the Wings win or lose. That is why I would rather have someone with heart, determination, leadership than a very very very streaky "top-six" winger. In their respective roles Draper did the better job at his. Hudler's only value to the Wings right now is that other teams might accept him via a trade, that's about it.

Well I will say that Hudler was the better checker out of the two in the SJ series. Just ask Clears if you don't believe me.

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You're thinking of Zherdev. In fact, I think most people who voted "Draper" may have Hudler confused with Zherdev. Given that many were in the Zherdev thread asking for his addition, yet want Draper over Hudler due to hard work and defensive ability.

Yeah youre right, theres no way Hudler would be concerned with money and try harder ina contract year after he was s*** this season.. Its not like he has ever left a stanley cup contender to play in Russia or something :rolleyes:

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Hudler, simply becasue of the fact that he is younger and can improve and be very useful even though I don't really think he did this past season. With Draper he may be able to improve but for one more season I'd rather have Huds becasue of his longevity and ablity to be in the league longer to improve. Drapes if he is re-signed (which I don't think he should be) he's kind of one and done season for him.

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Let's say Draper retires. What should the pecking order be for the line of potential assistant captains?

1. Kronwall: He's become a better leader on the bench and is more vocal. Also, he'll probably lead the team in TOI this season. (Man he's gonna get paaaaaiiiiid).

"He's taken on more responsibility in that aspect, saying what needs to be said on the bench," Stuart said. "If we're falling asleep a little bit on the ice he'll speak up and try to get us going. It's good to see."

Said Lidstrom: "I think I seen that the last half of the season, where he's been more vocal. I think he feels confident in that role, too. You hear more on the bench, just encouraging and pushing the guys."

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

2. Cleary: Pretty obvious and self-explanatory choice. At least for Wings fans.

3. Toss up between Helm, Stuart, probably Filppula. And not specifically in that order. No Franzen for me even though he'll definitely be in that discussion amongst the Red Wings staff.

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He wasn't productive in the SJ series at all. I do care if the Wings win or lose. That is why I would rather have someone with heart, determination, leadership than a very very very streaky "top-six" winger. In their respective roles, Draper did better job at his. Hudler's only value to the Wings right now is that other teams might accept him via a trade, that's about it.

Hudler didn't score, but he definitely produced offensive chances. Sometimes they don't go in. Also, although he f***ed up on that Boyle goal (identical play to the game before, where Helm was the "victim") Hudler was pretty solid on his backchecking. Unfortunately, if he's not scoring he doesn't get credit for what he is doing.

Well I will say that Hudler was the better checker out of the two in the SJ series. Just ask Clears if you don't believe me.

Hmm... come to think of it, has Draper EVER nailed a guy that hard? Maybe Hudler should get with Joey and he can be our enforcer since Babs likes to play him on the fourth line.

Yeah youre right, theres no way Hudler would be concerned with money and try harder ina contract year after he was s*** this season.. Its not like he has ever left a stanley cup contender to play in Russia or something :rolleyes:

You act like no players are interested in money. Good thing Datsyuk and Zetterberg are playing for $500k. Lidstrom too. That makes it a lot easier to fit under the cap with greedy players like Hudler who make salaries that fit point production for seasons that are considered "horrible".

Let's say Draper retires. What should the pecking order be for the line of potential assistant captains?

Draper is unlikely to be back. If he retires, it will be Kronwall or Cleary, but not until Lidstrom retires. Teams are only allowed two A's at a time, the Wings rotate three. Draper retires and it will be just Dats and Z. Lids retires and one of Kronner or Cleary gets it.

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