Calgary Flames signed Jiri Hudler to a 4-year contract.
The Calgary Flames have signed 28-year old Czech winger, Jiri Hudler to a 4-year $16M contract.
In 7 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Hudler has played 409 career games, tallying 87 goals and 214 points. He scored 25 goals and 50 points in 81 games last season.
“Jiri Hudler is a highly skilled and dynamic offensive player,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster. “He is one of the very best goal scorers in the NHL at even strength and he puts a very high percentage of his shots on net, generating scoring chances for himself and rebound opportunities for his teammates. He fits our need to upgrade and improve our skill and we are very pleased to have him on board.”
This signing brings into question the whole “Jaromir Jagr to the Calgary Flames” thing. As has been previously speculated, many Flames fans thought that Feaster would bring another Czech player into the Flames lineup to help recently-added centerman, Roman Cervenka, transition into the NHL. While hudler may not be the mentor that Cervenka needs, he’ll surely help him figure out how to translate “Yee Haw” into Czech.
Personally, I like Hudler. He’s proven himself as a solid player with great skills and an ability to get the puck on the net. It’s clear (again) that there’s no rebuild in the Flames near future, so I guess we better embrace this newly retooled team and hope for the best.
What do you think of this signing? Is he worth it?
Greg is the founder of Red Mile Blog has been following the Flames through good times and bad since they arrived in Calgary in the early 80s. He has written hundreds of articles on the Flames since 2005 and considers himself an expert on hockey inconsistency and frustration. He shoots right and usually plays defence, but has been known to jump up in the rush. He is a 2-time CAHL men's league champion and knows the sweet taste of beer from a Cup.
