86 replies to this topic

[matemate]

How about some praise for Jiri Hudler? The guy has grown into a fantastic player for us, he's one of the most versatile players we have, managing to look good on almost any line he has played on, can play all 3 positions, and is looking like a player who can pot 20+ goals this season.



JIRI ROCKS!

[Namingway]

Nice try Eva.




Sorry, just had to

[Z and D for the C]

[greenrebellion]

Where's the "not sure if serious" image when you need it...

[The Secret]

Trade Him!

[GMRwings1983]

He was on a 100 point pace after the first two games of the season.

[Din758]

[The Secret]

LET GO RET VINKS!
LET GO RET VINKS!
LET GO RET VINKS!

...trade him

[GoWings1905]

This thread is going to get epic.

I think the best part so far is Hudler being called "versatile". If completely one-dimensional was meant by that, then yes I'm on board.

[Wing-in-avs-town]

Still can't figure out why he is on the point for the powerplay

[eva unit zero]

This thread is going to get epic.

I think the best part so far is Hudler being called "versatile". If completely one-dimensional was meant by that, then yes I'm on board.

Hudler has been pretty solid defensively if you would actually pay attention. He backchecks as hard as anyone, and in the Anaheim game he fought through two players to clear the puck. He's been very good on the PP, keeping the puck in the zone and setting up plays better than just about anyone the Wings have put out there. He had no chance on the Richards goal; look to Kronwall and Cleary for the issues on that play.


As for his versatility... Hudler is probably one of a handful (at most) of players on the team capable of player center, both wings, and defense. I would call that versatile.

[GMRwings1983]

Hudler has been pretty solid defensively if you would actually pay attention. He backchecks as hard as anyone, and in the Anaheim game he fought through two players to clear the puck. He's been very good on the PP, keeping the puck in the zone and setting up plays better than just about anyone the Wings have put out there. He had no chance on the Richards goal; look to Kronwall and Cleary for the issues on that play.


As for his versatility... Hudler is probably one of a handful (at most) of players on the team capable of player center, both wings, and defense. I would call that versatile.

Really?

This last part is funnier than anything the OP wrote.

Edited by GMRwings1983, 22 November 2011 - 03:21 PM.

[GoWings1905]

Hudler has been pretty solid defensively if you would actually pay attention. He backchecks as hard as anyone, and in the Anaheim game he fought through two players to clear the puck. He's been very good on the PP, keeping the puck in the zone and setting up plays better than just about anyone the Wings have put out there. He had no chance on the Richards goal; look to Kronwall and Cleary for the issues on that play.


As for his versatility... Hudler is probably one of a handful (at most) of players on the team capable of player center, both wings, and defense. I would call that versatile.

Except he never actually plays center, nor is on the ice in close games.

I don't dislike Hudler at all, but he's as one-dimensional as Tomas Holmstrom. You're the only person who thinks otherwise.

[eva unit zero]

Really?

This last part is funnier than anything the OP wrote.

Hudler has plenty of experience as a defenseman. He played there part-time in Grand Rapids. How many other players on the team have ever played defense and forward? Ericsson? Then you have the highly skilled guys like Kronwall, Dats, Z, and Lidstrom who could easily fit into any of those positions; although I'm not sure how good Kronner or Nick are on faceoffs.

[P. Marlowe]

Jiri Hudler can't read this thread 'cause he's got his Stanley Cup ring in one eye and the other one is closed.

Edited by P. Marlowe, 22 November 2011 - 03:40 PM.

[eva unit zero]

Except he never actually plays center, nor is on the ice in close games.

I don't dislike Hudler at all, but he's as one-dimensional as Tomas Holmstrom. You're the only person who thinks otherwise.

Ok, and he does play defense. The other day he played more defense than forward. He's captained the Czech national team and starred at center in the KHL, AHL, and internationally.


He doesn't play center because Babcock has never given him a chance there. How about a first line of Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Filppula and a second line of Franzen/Hudler/Cleary? Leaves Abs/Helm/Bert and Miller/Emmy/Homer to finish out the roster. Or you can go with Filppula/Datsyuk/Homer, Franzen/Zetterberg/Cleary, Abs/Hudler/Bertuzzi, and Miller/Helm/Eaves. Hudler at center is not a ridiculous idea; he's an excellent playmaker and if you put him between two big bodies, the "small guy" argument is invalidated. Reference the early 80s and the Messier/Gretzky/Anderson line.

[greenrebellion]

This thread is too much. Hudler playing D at the NHL level, you have to be kidding me?

And the reason he had no chance on the Richards goal is because he's slower than molasses...his lack of speed certainly doesn't help his versatility.

[eva unit zero]

This thread is too much. Hudler playing D at the NHL level, you have to be kidding me?

And the reason he had no chance on the Richards goal is because he's slower than molasses...his lack of speed certainly doesn't help his versatility.

Had Kronwall been skating as hard as Hudler was, Richards never gets that puck. The reason Richards got that puck is because Hudler tried to stop it at the line, as anyone would. Richards was already skating towards him at this point, and Hudler had to turn and start going. Richards already had a significant head start because he was up to full speed much sooner. Had Kronwall started skating hard (and kept skating) once it became apparent the puck was going past the line, that is his puck. Or maybe Cleary doesn't just randomly shovel the puck. Hudler had absolutely ZERO chance to stop Richards' goal. Also, if you watch the replay, Howard basically just stands there while Richards puts it through him; it's like he wasn't expecting Richards to actually shoot. But yes, it's Hudler's fault because he was the guy who tried to get to the puck and Richards beat him to it. Damn that Hudler, trying to prevent a goal and failing.

[haroldsnepsts]

Well if the goal of this thread was to bait Eva, it worked.

[Crymson]

Well if the goal of this thread was to bait Eva, it worked.

No kidding.