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Post by Shredded Red on Jul 9, 2009 9:47:54 GMT -5
blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/07/jiri_hudlers_defection_deliver.htmlSeveral sources are reporting that Detroit's Jiri Hudler has signed with the KHL Dynamo for somewhere in the range of $3-4mil (tax free). Kind of an odd move on Hudler's part. It's not like he's a big star by any means, but a solid player for Detroit that's for sure. One would start to think that when these players start defecting back to Russia like this that when they do make an attempt to come back (if they try to come back) that teams won't be offering up the big money that they could get if they never left. Why are Russians always the ones with the greedy contract issues? That's 4 big losses for Detroit in the FA market this summer (Hossa, Samuelsson, Kopecky, and now Hudler).
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Jul 9, 2009 9:53:36 GMT -5
From what I understand, this isn't really a sure thing yet. hudler's KHL contract has some kind of out where, at any time before a certain date, hudler can opt-out and accept a contract from detroit. if that's the case, this is just a negotiating ploy to get the Wings to give him more money. Reports I've read (including the link you posted) say this KHL contract is only $2 mil a year (tax free of course), which is about $3.5 mil here. So I'd say Detroit needs to offer him at least $3 million if they want him to stay.
You have to wonder, though, if detroit missed out on the FA market because of Hossa, just like pittsburgh 2008.
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Post by Shredded Red on Jul 9, 2009 10:20:03 GMT -5
Ok, I'm reading the same now. Over reacted a bit, but the Wings are pretty close to the cap and I don't know that they can offer him, or even should offer him $3mil. He's an average player at best and needs to be pushed to play at that level. Rumor's in Detroit suggest he's never been Babcock's favorite, and he was benched in favor of Kopecky numerous times in the playoffs.
The KHL has got to be putting itself in financial trouble by offering these players such outrageous contracts. I've heard that some players are already not receiving the money they're promised. It just seems like the KHL and the NHL aren't going to coexist peacefully. I've also heard that Bettman is threatening to not involve the NHL in the 2012 Olympics in Russia, which would not only raise tensions within the leagues, but sadly probably on an international level as well. Of course I realize I'm thinking worse case...hockey cold war...scenarios here.
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Jul 9, 2009 11:07:23 GMT -5
Bettman's a fool if he tries to do that. All that does is make the KHL an even MORE desirable place for these guys to play.
The KHL is having financial issues, and I know they've been writing a lot of IOUs to their most highly paid players (Emery had a lot of issues, I know). But that's to be expected in the first few years of a new league. Honestly, if they can weather the storm here through this global economic meltdown, they'll be in pretty good shape to challenge the NHL. Of course, until the quality of life in Russia improves, they'll never draw North American players (except the bad ones).
As for the Olympics, I can't imagine the NHLPA ever allowing Bettman to block NHLers. The players would strike (not a lockout... a strike), and the league would give in within 24 hours. Important to note though... this isn't a Moscow 1980 type of thing. Bettman was intending to block players from the Olympics for a long time. In his opinion, the experiment which began in 1998, to take a 2 week break in the NHL season, was a failed one. He wants 2010 to be the last Winter Olympics for NHLers. So it's just a coincidence that the 2014 games happen to be in Sochi (did I spell that right?)
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Post by fukufuji on Jul 9, 2009 12:35:26 GMT -5
IMO redwings are hurting. On the other forums i talk wings people are unconcerned, but I beg to differ. Detroits 3rd and 4th lines are what put detroit over the top every year.
Every player exit everyone responds oh don't worry one of (Leno, Abdlcater, Helm) will replace them. But what they don't take into consideration is who replaces Leno, Abdlcater, Helm on the 3rd and 4th lines??? Lidstrom, Draper, Maltby, Holmstrom Osgood all have hockey left in them but are getting way past their prime. Wings are in big trouble next season maintaining the success level of the past.
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Jul 9, 2009 13:08:34 GMT -5
abdelkader will never be more than a 3rd liner. and helm is a stretch for L2. but with datsyuk, filpulla, zettberg, leino, franzen, and holmstrom... their top 6 is set. then you've got abdelkader, helm, cleary for L3, and draper, maltby, whoever for L4.
when maltby/draper retire, they'll have a couple holes to fill. and they'd be best to get someone better than holmstrom to round out the top 6. But Axelsson is in the pipeline, and could be a good fit.
Filppulla-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Zetterberg-Leino Abdelkader-Helm-Cleary Maltby-Draper-??
And like I said, if they can get Axelsson over here, he can replace Holmstrom in 2010-11, and they'll be fine.
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Post by Shredded Red on Jul 9, 2009 15:26:37 GMT -5
I never can figure out the Wings prospects. I didn't understand why everyone was so high on Hudler and Franzen....even after they cracked the line up. Hudler seemed like, and still has the tendency to play like a Wal-Mart version of Theo Fleury. Franzen was good defensively, but didn't do much until 08 when he exploded....but he's still not an elite player IMO because he's not as dynamic or consistent as some.
Whatever happened to Grigrenko? He was supposed to be the next big prospect around the same time Hudler emerged. I heard he got in a car accident and that slowed his development, but now he's nowhere to be found. Either way, as long as they're not bolting for Russia....I don't care who they bring up.
As for the Olympics I don't understand why Bettman wouldn't want the NHL involved in the Olympics. It's great publicity for the sport. Look how much attention the Dream Teams get for the NBA. The NHL has been to gun shy to promote the world showcase that takes place during Olympic years.
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Jul 9, 2009 16:03:19 GMT -5
Grigorenko is still bummin around in the KHL... 10 points in 36 games this year for Salavat Yulaev. Not exactly numbers that are going to buy him an NHL contract, eh?
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Post by Shredded Red on Jul 9, 2009 23:03:19 GMT -5
"Hudler’s two-year deal could be worth up to $5 million per season, according to the Detroit Free Press. Hudler made $1.15 million with the Red Wings last season and he reportedly turned down a Red Wings offer of $3 million for up to five years." -Yahoo Sports
Looks like he's really going to Russia. $5mil is a pretty high bluff. The Wings will never pay that.
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Jul 10, 2009 2:19:09 GMT -5
i wonder if that $5 million number accounts for the tax-free thing, though. either way... if it's the equivalent of a $5 million salary in the NHL, he's never getting it. Eh... probably better for him. he can be a star for a while, and come back to the NHL as a top-six forward rather than a grinding 3rd liner.
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Post by Zipper14 on Jul 10, 2009 10:54:59 GMT -5
On the Olympics: IMO The 2006 Olympics would have been the last Olympics for the NHL if Vancouver didn't land 2010. Because the 2010 Olympics were in Canada, Canadians would have rioted if NHL players weren't included.
The 1998 Olympics were supposed to be an experiment, and it kind of snowballed, but I don't think Bettman ever really liked it. I just think the logistics are too much for the NHL, having to shut down the league for two weeks, extending the season into late June, and asking some star players to play as many as 110 games in one season (pre-season, regular season, Olympics, 4 rounds of playoffs).
Though as Zoom said above, now that the 2014 Olympics are in Russia Bettman's hand might be forced again. Let them play in 2014 or loose a ton of Russians to the KHL for that year... if the KHL is still around in 2014.
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Post by fukufuji on Aug 4, 2009 11:24:02 GMT -5
I can't beleive the way this is worded in rotoworld He signs a 2 year deal then his agent publically says if he doesn't like the khl after one he'll just return to the nhl. edit I guess ken holland actually said it Jiri Hudler has every intention of playing in Russia next season. "Every conversation I've had with (Hudler's agent) Petr Svoboda he's told me he was playing in Russia," said Wings' GM Ken Holland. "Hudler has publicly announced he's playing in Russia, so let's use some common sense. (Svoboda) told me Hudler is coming back after two years. If he doesn't like it, he'll come back after one." Hudler signed a two-year, $10 million with Moscow Dynamo, of the KHL, in early July. The Wings are still waiting for his arbitration case to be settled, so he has a salary when he decides to return to the NHL. Aug. 2 - 6:50 pm et
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Post by Zipper14 on Aug 4, 2009 23:01:23 GMT -5
The Red Wings have signed Patrick Eaves. I guess he is a Hudler replacement.
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Post by HockeyEdge on Aug 12, 2009 13:45:22 GMT -5
They've also got Jason Williams Back.
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