Dabura 12,194 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 So I was talking with a Flames fan. At one point in our conversation he playfully trolled me about how the Flames "stole" Hudler from us, and how his absence will be the end of us. I played along, wink wink, but I slowly realized he was actually semi-serious. Not because he's especially fond of Hudler (though "Happy" has, in fact, been one of the Flames more valuable players), but because of our troubles this season. Shootout woes? Hudler. Goal-scoring woes? Hudler. Second-line center hole? Hudler. Wouldn't it be something if we miss the playoffs because of our total incompetence in shootouts? Should that come to pass, do we hang the first person who says, "Should've kept Hudler"? Or would he have a point? And, if so, does the universe implode? I hated Hudler as a Wing. To me, he encapsulated everything that was misguided and wrong about our team. I was glad to see him go. But let's talk about him, knowing full well that Kenny will bring him back, sooner or later. Do we miss Jiri Hudler? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stillwater 186 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Hudler would only be one more thing to complain about. Don't miss him at all. The Flames can have him. It must be pathetic to be a Flames fan, when Hudler is one of the things you puff your chest out about. Edited January 30, 2014 by stillwater 5 The Secret, hooon, TheDetroitRedWings and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sleepwalker 512 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 No, I don't miss him. He wasn't a good fit here, and was often a detriment to the team due to his small size and getting constantly knocked off the puck by everyone else on the ice. But hey, Sammy and Quincey were OK here and then left and we brought them back only for them to suck. Maybe it'll be the opposite with Hudler. 1 The Secret reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,469 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 Hudler was not good in the shootout, he was very inconsistent and he wasn't good defensively. He wasn't physical at all, and he wouldn't have fixed anything if he was still here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 I miss Filpulla a bit. Hudler? Not at all. Although he was good for a laugh. 3 The Secret, F.Michael and T.Low reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 I'm with rick on this. Fil was always one I had high hopes for, I was a little sad to see him go, and never cared for hudler. I met him when I played for belle tire, he was goofy as hell,and kind of an ass, he wouldn't sign my practice jersey. And flames fans are crazy. I was on a flames board lookin to see what they thought of cammaleri and they said jurco, sheahan,aand someone else were fourth borderline 3rd line players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DickieDunn 2,571 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 I liked Hudler, and always thought that he got way too much crap. But, they had Tatar and Nyquist coming, and you only need so many small wingers on your team, so I wasn't really upset that he left. I couldn't wait to see Filppula leave town. He had one season of over 40 points despite playing in the top 3 or 4 ice time for forwards and I always thought his defense, while pretty good, was overblown by his defenders. Last year he acted like he just plain didn't care. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Hudler could have helped with scoring, but so would any of the players who are currently or have previously been injured for long stretches this season (Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Helm, Alfredsson, etc.) Hudler was never over-overwhelmingly good in the shootout either, so I don't see how he is a game-changer there. His skating and defense were both weak, and he never really played much center when he was here if I recall correctly, nor would he now when we're healthy. I don't really see how Hudler helps us this season. Our problems scoring and with the second-line center position have to do with injuries to players who are better than Hudler (especially how he was when he was here). Our problem in the shootout should be remedied by playing stronger in regulation and OT to close out games before the skills competition. As bleak as things look at times, we are tied in points for the last playoff spot in the East despite missing significant players, subpar goaltending at times, being unable to gain any momentum or chemistry, and all the while during what was bound to be the big transition year we've all been dreading. Get healthy, get settled down and familiar (read: gain consistent lineup and establish chemistry), and make a push for the playoffs, then anything can happen - as we saw again last season when we went from getting a spot the last day and sticking around 14 games and several OTs against two teams that should have been head-and-shoulders better than us. EDIT: Sorry, started with the Hudler thread and got sidetracked. The point, however, should be in tact. Of all the things we need to be better, losing Hudler is hardly the cause, nor would it be resolved if he was still here. Edited January 30, 2014 by b.shanafan14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 Don't we have a game or two in hand too? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,434 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 I think if we had Hudler back Babcock's head might explode. He'd stick Huds on the third line with Tatar and some center, and they'd be the highest scoring 3rd in the league and Babs would be sooooooooooo pissssssssssssssssed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MabusIncarnate 5,343 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 Hudler would never have the same role here and ice time that he is receiving in Calgary. Over there he is a top 2 forward. Here he barely cracks the top 6. His success is based around their need for him in Calgary and having no other options. I do miss the freaky happy face and the humorous photoshop options. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,194 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 I guess my memory of Hudler is warped. I remember him being a beast in the shootout, spending time as a center, and having a knack for scoring clutch goals that we all wished someone else on our team had scored. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NitzGuy 38 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 I remember thinking that paying 4 mill a season for him and 5 for fill was way overpayment. Now I think we may have just been spoiled. I know I'd much much rather have hudler than Sammy and tootoo. I always liked fill and I really liked the fill hank huds line. I just can't stop picturing our roster with those two on it instead of all the garbage that replaced them. But hindsight is 20/20. I just wish fill had found his shot while he was in Detroit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 No one served bench minors like Happy. 1 b.shanafan14 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cnot19 191 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Lol way too sift and small for my liking Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Tatar is a better version of what Hudler is, and Tatar tries harder too. Now, would I rather have Hudler than, say, Cleary? Or Bert? Yes. But if Hudler was here it would just mean one of Tatar or Nyquist wouldn't be on the team. 1 canadian wings fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nyqvististhefuture 1,002 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) Don't miss hudler , he was a contributor in our back to back cup finals but was just time to let him go , same as filppula who never became what we hoped he would .....so long to both Our problems aren't cause we let them go .... Our problems is because we kept bringing back players that had no business ever coming back (Samuelson,cleary,bertuzzi) and always keep delaying bringing in some prospects 1-2 at a time and let them develop here and learn from the veterans while they can Nyquist and Tatar should of been here last Season and if they were they'd be better players right now and we'd be better off Edited January 31, 2014 by nyqvististhefuture Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fixxxer 11 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Don't miss Hudler or Fil both don't fill the type of players we need at least in my perspective. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Wish him all the best but glad, he's gone. This team nees bigger bodies. I'm sure the Flames are happy with him, but he just didn't fit here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amato 3,210 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 last night i had a dream nightmare that huds was actually re-aquired by the wings.... this thread must be why. so Dabura, it's all your fault Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Hudler was entertaining while he was here. He's got a great shot and some nifty moves, but even when he was hustling back on defense, the guy is just too slow and small on an already slow Wings team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I guess my memory of Hudler is warped. I remember him being a beast in the shootout, spending time as a center, and having a knack for scoring clutch goals that we all wished someone else on our team had scored. I remember Hudler always leading off in shootouts, missing, but giving Pavs an opportunity to see what the goalie was doing before he shot. As others have already said, Tats is a better, more tenacious version of Huds. Call him Hungry Huds compared to Happy Huds maybe? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,469 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I remember Hudler always leading off in shootouts, missing, but giving Pavs an opportunity to see what the goalie was doing before he shot. As others have already said, Tats is a better, more tenacious version of Huds. Call him Hungry Huds compared to Happy Huds maybe? How bout tenacious T? 1 McAwesome reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanBarnes! 293 Report post Posted February 1, 2014 I dont miss Hudler or Filppula at all. Their roster spots can be put to much better use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 1, 2014 Who? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites