Hudler's Future

[Guest 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 May 13, 2011 by Crymson

[Blood On The Ice 15]

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 287]

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

[Guest 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 1,736]

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

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

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 733]

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 287]

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 794]

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 1,736]

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 1,011]

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 144]

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 1,100]

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 209]

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

[Majsheppard 203]

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 105]

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

[Grim 5]

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 304]

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

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

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 122]

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.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

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.

Good assessment.

IMO Hudler is past the point of being able to help the Wings anymore. He was brutal out there last night (not even counting the Cleary mishap). He's lost on the PP, his shots don't go in (does he even have a point in the postseason?), he has always been undersized, he's made noticable defensive gafs - was on ice for several of the sharks goals the last few games I think. He appeared especially useless against the Sharks this series.

Try sending him down to GR and with any luck someone will pick him up off of waivers. Even giving someone else a shot from GR would be better than wasting a roster spot on him next year.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

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.

You must be watching a different player? Only two players were a minus 1 in that phenomenal game 6 - he was one of them (Abby the other). The first thing I noticed was that he was on the ice and out of position on the first and only goal by Couture and the Sharks. He was one of four minus players again last night. What exactly do you think he will bring in the future? I don't see any upside to the Wings keeping him around at all - he can't help us win a Cup anymore.

[WizardOfOz30 1,886]

My opinion of Hudler is based purely on emotions. I wouldn't mind him being gone, whenever we can get rid of him. He didn't have a good season this year and the way things played out with him going to the KHL didn't do him any good. He was cocky and thought he deserved more money from the Wings, once he got to Russia he ran his mouth about how the Wings were holding back his talent and we had to welcome him back with open arms because of the arbitration. If he wasn't so greedy and stuck around he might have improved and become a vital player on the team.

[LeftWinger 5,090]

I cannot comment of this topic because of my (well known) hatred for Hudler, I will just say I wish him a good future, just not as a Detroit Red Wings forward...

...I do get a chuckle at how many people have turned against Hudler, when it was but last summer that I amassed more than -95 user rating while I was expressing my views on him. Oh well, he could've proven his negative critics wrong, but failed to and actually amassed a lot more negative critics. Listening to 97.1 today, I couldn't believe all the folks calling in saying how its over for Hudler... To quote James Brown, "I feel Good!"

I do agree Holland doesn't have to balls to make a big trade. The problem is, and the worst thing that could've happened was the Wings forcing a game seven. Now Holland is looking at it like, if we only had Franzen, if only Pav and Zetts were 100%, if Bert and Cleary didn't get hurt, blah blah blah! Thats all good, but in the end its gonna end up seeing the Wings ice the same team next year with the exception of Modano and possibly Salei... HE needs to get rid of Hudler, Ericsson, & Salei. Osgood and Modo should retire. Try to get Nabokov to push Howard to the next level, because right now Howard knows there really isn't a ligit back-up and his job is safe. Bring in Nabby for the back-up and if Howard doesn't improve even more next season, Nabby could come in and take that job. Lidstrom? Who knows about him, I just hope he decides before July 1st...

Holland please ditch Hudler! IF there was a trade on the table for him and Ericsson (it may have to be sweetened now) then do it. On the open market Ericsson will probably get 3-4 million, but he is not worth the huge cap hit here. Especially after this season and playoff...

[grwingfan 21]

Why would any team give us anything but a bag of peanuts for Hudler?