Holland, Wings preparing to move forward without Hudler

by motownchollis on Jul 22, 2009 4:39 PM CDT in News Comment 23 comments

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland sat down with Ansar Khan/MLive.com to address the Jiri Hudler situation, and the news is good/not good depending which side of the Hudler fence your loyalties lie on.

From Khan:

Wings general manager Ken Holland said today that the club will head to salary arbitration with forward Jiri Hudler on July 30 in Toronto. Hudler's agent, Petr Svoboda, told Holland the 25-year-old left wing intends on playing in Russia next season.

"They have no intention of negotiating a settlement, they want the case heard before an arbitrator,'' Holland said.

The NHL apparently will not be able to prevent Hudler from playing for Moscow Dynamo. Hudler signed a two-year, $10 million (tax-free) deal with the Kontinental Hockey League club on July 8. The NHL has tried to void the deal, claiming Hudler is obligated to the Wings because he filed for salary arbitration on July 5.

Basically, it looks like the Wings are ready to move on and start looking for a free agent or two to replace some of the scoring they lost to defections earlier in this off season. Now that the handcuffs of a potential Hudler contract are off, look for Holland to try and land some low priced, value forwards who can contribute anywhere between 15-20 goals a season. Mike Grier's name immediately jumps to the forefront as a potential contender, and if the Wings could negotiate the right price, Petr Sykora would be another interesting option.

In the end though, this is the best thing for both sides. The Wings don't want a player on their roster that wants to be playing somewhere else, especially if they have to go over the cap to do so. Hudler wants to make his money and have a shot at being a leader for Moscow Dynamo. One way or the other, it's time to put this all to bed and get to work on winning back the Stanley Cup. The train is pulling out at some point and it's doing so with or without Hudler.

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Posiible signings

I haven’t heard anybody bring up former Wing Jason Williams? What’s up? He can produce solid pts, play the PP, work corners and has been in the system before. I fthey could, I think they need to look J-Will’s way. Sykora is too damn soft.

by WINGSOFVT on Jul 22, 2009 5:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

UFA

Hudler was a very good player, however we need a tough forward and a scorer. I think we shoul look into Mike Grier and Petr Sykora.

by maksohockey on Jul 22, 2009 6:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m fine with this. As I said in one of the FanPosts, this is the Federov/Carolina mess all over again. Hudler, like Federov, obviously DOES NOT want to be here. If he doesn’t want to be a Wing and does not have the loyalty of a Wing (see Drapes, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Maltby, Osgood, and the recent signings of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen which will effectively make them lifers as well), then I don’t want him to be a Wing. Without that loyalty, he won’t play up to what he is capable of and, to be blatantly honest, if last season was all that he was capable of, I am not very worried about losing him.

Replace him with a prospect or sign someone like, as was mentioned above, Jason Williams or if we have the money, how about Mike Comrie? Afinogenov is available too and so is Zednik. Mike York could also be a decent cheapie pick up for the 4th line. All of the mentioned are under 30 too except for York who is 31 so it’s not like we are picking up Zubov or anything.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Jul 22, 2009 7:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Going to miss Hudler

He’s an awesome player and seems like he’s got a good attitude, too.

by JenLovesWings on Jul 22, 2009 9:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hudler would have made an impact next season for the wings if he wanted it…obviously hudler is worried about money and ice time…

how can you say he’s got a good attitude jenloveswings? He only cares about money!

hey apocalyptic are you insane, Mike York? did he even play in the nhl last season Comrie, what a plug that guy is, BIG under-achiever!! same with Afinogenov, I would be so pissed at ken holland if he went and signed Afinogenov…thats a player that should leave the nhl and head back home to russia…
personally, holland should sign Grier, and I dont mind the Williams idea either…im on the fence about Sykora, he’s weak and his skills are fading
at least we can count on some good young talent graduating to the big team next season..Helm, Abby, Leino….Helm’s a better player than Hudler anyways…its Hossa’s goals we need to compensate for…I can see Franzen breaking out for 45-50 goals next season
I think Hudler was on his way to becoming a Datsyuk type player…I also think he’s stupid and selfish!! I know he will regret the choice he made, and who knows maybe he comes back in 2 years a much much better player and we sign him then….or he could turn out to be shit cause he’s not surrounded by highly talented players like we have in detriot either way good riddence jiri hudler…you dont want us, we dont want you!

by wingsfanforlife on Jul 23, 2009 1:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Under achievers thrive here...

Look at Mikael Samuellson, he had 19 goals and 30 asst, in the 5 season prior to arriving in Detroit, where he had 57 goals and 92 asst in 4 years. So, who’s to say the York, Comrie, or Afinogenov would thrive and produce equal numbers for the same price Samuallson made when he first signed?

Another example would be Dan Cleary, he had 41 goals and 71 assts in 7 season prior to Detroit and 57 goals and 80 assts in only 4 season with the Wings.

So, if Holland wants to sign a player who never lived up to their full potential in previous season on other teams, I am all for it. His track record for resurrecting careers speaks loudly.

by jryno on Jul 25, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Wings Need Defense With Scoring Ability

Sign a seasoned champion that does not turn over the puck and plays the same style the Redwings are used to playing puck control. Sign Chris Chelios TODAY Dammit! The reason the special teams sucked last year was Andreas Lilja getting time on the penalty kill! Look it up if you do not believe me!!! When Chris Chelios broke his ankle in preseason (after blocking a Lilja shot) the penalty kill was lost for the season!!! Chelios does not lose battles in the corners, Lilja does. I have watch every minute of every game the Redwings have played over the past five seasons and Chelios is the man when it comes to puck control on the kill!! I have watched in horror as Lilja handed the Stanley Cup to Anaheim’s Teemo Selanne two years ago on a terrible turnover and to Pittsburgh in game six he turned over the puck in the third period to Malkin for a breakaway late that almost lost the Redwings the cup last year. This year Lilja’s play did improve, but not in front of our goalie Hall of Famer Chris Osgood!!! Sign Chelios and bring in Zubov, guys that can handle the puck well are few and far between and Zubov and Chelios are two of the best ever!!! If Larry Murphy would skate again I would sign him as well!!! Remember the Mapleleafs of the sixties? They won how many Stanley Cups? Against the greatest teams Montral ever had with older talented Hall of Fame defensemen!!!

by Marcmargolis on Jul 23, 2009 6:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Uhhh, really??

I will agree with you that Lilja did not play that well in previous years, but he was their BEST defensive guy last year. He played great all year. Sure he’s not as offensively gifted as guys like Raffy and Nick, but I can tell you one thing for sure… That short handed goal by Staal in the Finals would never have happened if that was Lilja defending. You really didn’t watch the Wings much in 08-09 if you think anything otherwise. Also that makes no sense that Lilja was the reason for the penalty killing woes. They had one of the best the year before and guess what, Lilja was right there. He also wasn’t playing as well then. Lilja has always been one of the better penalty killers for the Wings and is one of the few guys that actually blocks shots.

No offense, but I think you really need your head checked if you think at this point Chelios would be more effective than Lilja. The last thing the Wings “need” is more defense with scoring ability. Offensive minded defenseman are too prone at turnovers in their own zone by trying to be fancy. Lilja was one of the only Wings willing to just get the puck out to relieve pressure. A team with 6 offensive defenseman is one that wouldn’t be that effective. Rafalski continually comes to mind, the guy is very good offensively, but he really isn’t that good defensively and it seems his defensive ability is declining more and more. He was a huge reason the Wings GAA was much higher this year.

Puck control is great, but the Wings refusal to play safe in their own zone cost them the Cup this season. It’s great to have blueliners make plays to get the puck up, but sometimes it’s better to just get the puck out of the zone in the quickest and safest way possible, and making a high risk pass up the middle does not qualify.

by dewman8810 on Jul 25, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we should bring in....

Mike Grier because he is a tough player who can hit AND score 20 goals a season. He was the assitant with the Sharks so I think that would be a big help to the Wings. Perfect 2nd-3rd line player and he would bring excitment with a hit or two. He is exactly what the Wings need, some grit but some scoring touch. Sykora is a ex-pen and is too weak now. Who is Mike York? afinagonaov is not a player I would waste cap on and Jason Williams is a good player but the ex-Wings won’t likely come back here after letting him go. Mike Grier sign him in for 2-3 years for 2 million no more than 3.5 million and we can win the cup agian!!

Datsyuk is like Iverson....... Breaks ankles all the time!

by Wings40 on Jul 23, 2009 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ex-WIngs won't come back after being let go?

Osgood, Kocur immediately come to mind.

by jryno on Jul 25, 2009 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Same with McCarty

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Jul 25, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks...

When I was writing that I knew there were three, but for some reason when it came to the name i was drawing a blank.

by jryno on Jul 26, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grier is too slow and doesn't backcheck

Why have the Redwings steered clear of Grier? He scores, he is big and hits! DEFENSE. Mike Grier is a defensive liability and he does not score big goals in the playoffs!! By the time the playoffs roll along Grier is out of condition and slower and his teams are suspect to his poor defensive play and do not advance!!! Look up the statistics to prove the point to yourself.

by Marcmargolis on Jul 23, 2009 9:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not his fault he was with the Sharks

Everyone under produces there come playoffs.

by ZWC11 on Jul 23, 2009 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jason Williams the Best Choice for Redwings

Jason Williams is another center that can play all three forward positions very well. He is a former Redwing and understands puck control. Williams will also bring a better point shot and vision than Michael Samuelson. The one reason that i was glad to see Sammy go was his horrendous point play that Mike Babcock fell in love with. Sammy almost cost us one Stanley Cup and his play in the finals on the point probably cost the Redwings this years Stanley Cup( almost as much as Gary Bettman’s meddling cost the Redwings the 2009 Stanley Cup).

by Marcmargolis on Jul 23, 2009 9:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

do you really think..

that Jason williams would like coming back to a team that gave up on him? I don’t think so and Mike Grier would be a perfect fit along darren helm and Villie lenio or Johan franzen and dan cleary.

Datsyuk is like Iverson....... Breaks ankles all the time!

by Wings40 on Jul 23, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bye, Bye Happy

Let Hudler go. As many above have mentioned, I don’t want him on my team if he’s more interested in money. I think the top two guys the Wings should go after are Grier and Williams. Grier is not a defensive liability – he’s one of the top penalty killers in the league, and remember how the stymied the Wings top line during the playoffs in 2007? Williams has proved himself since leaving the Wings and would fit right in if he returned – I also agree with the comments about him being an upgrade on the point on the pp. Sykora is one-dimensional (talk about a defensive liability) with rapidly diminishing skills; Afinogenov, Comrie and York? Get serious – non of them would last in Babcock’s system; and stop the talk about Chelios, and Zubov for that matter – their best days are way behind them. I may not have watched every second of every Wings game this season, but I saw enough to realize Chelly is D-O-N-E.

by AZWingNut on Jul 23, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yes very true he was that guy we couldn’t stop in all 3 zones in 2007 WCF

Datsyuk is like Iverson....... Breaks ankles all the time!

by Wings40 on Jul 24, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i mean

semi finals lol

Datsyuk is like Iverson....... Breaks ankles all the time!

by Wings40 on Jul 24, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grier a defensive liability?

I am glad you put that bit about Grier being one of the best penalty killers in the league because that is how I know that I see him and remember him as being. I don’t know where the defensive liability talk came from. The guy works his @ss off. I have always been a fan of his, and of course his size doesn’t hurt either… Well, unless he is hitting you. I say go after Mike Grier, a little more toughness and grit sounds good. He also knows his role and goes and does just that.

by dewman8810 on Jul 25, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also....

Mike Grier is a Detroiter.

by jryno on Jul 25, 2009 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holland needs to work his magic and sign 2 of the following 4.

1 PETR SYKORA – lots of playoff experience

2 MATS SUNDIN – can never have too many centers

3 MAXIM AFINOGENOV – great assist man if he can stay healthy

4 JASON WILLIAMS – has fit the system before

They can all help make-up for the goals that were lost with Hossa, Hudler, and Sammuelson.

by GO WINGS on Jul 24, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Williams???? You cant be serious

Read some other articles about FA’S there are some GREAT choices out there Grier,Evaes,Bell 3 Fa’s that would put up the same amount of point Williams would one of the good points about Williams was faceoff’s but Helm is just as good if not better than Williams,bring in Greir for thoughness and some scoring he reminds me of Darren Mac the Wings need alittle thoughness pull the trigger Holland forget Williams yes he is only 29 and got alot of years left but he is wayyyyy to inconsistent and other comment aka, (GO WINGS put the crack pipe down)
1 PETR SYKORA – lots of playoff experience (wEAK PLAYER GOOD DAYS LONNNNNGGGG GONEEEE)

2 MATS SUNDIN – can never have too many centers(MAKES WAYYYY TO MUCH)

3 MAXIM AFINOGENOV – great assist man if he can stay healthy(TO FRAGILE NOF SAID)

4 JASON WILLIAMS – has fit the system before(OVERATED,WAY TO HOT/COLD)

by Wingnut1 on Jul 27, 2009 5:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs