Expectations Edition 1: Jiri Hudler

[BranWingss]

I seen this in the Leafs forum, and thought it looked pretty cool. I asked jrice if he minds us having it in year, and here we are. We have a few interesting players this year that we really need/should be looking at. What better player to start than the love him or hate him, Jiri Hudler.

2008/2009:
GP: 82 G: 23 P: 57 +7

2010/2011:
GP: 73 G: 10 P: 37 -7

Jiri Hudler returned from the KHL this season, and really didn't look good. He was a healthy scratch at times, and didn't get any PP time. He had some success, and I believe that was over a month and a half of time only.

He was good in the first four games against Phoenix, but after that, he was just awful. I've see many Wings fans wanting him out, and some wanting him more ice time.

What are you expecting from Hudler this season? Will he return to his 2009 form? Hit 60 points?

[RedWings13]

I also saw this in the Leafs forum and I was hoping we would do something similar.

If he plays on a line with Datsyuk and Cleary I expect him to have a career year. If he's put on the third line I still think he'll do better than last year (which isn't saying much) but I don't think we'll see his full potential.

[jrice9]

If you don't mind me contributing (I like talking hockey in general not just the Leafs) I will add my thoughts on Hudler.

Last season was certainly a mess for Hudler all over the ice taking a 20 point step backwards on offense and cutting his goal total nearly in half. Defensively he was worse at least from a statisitical point of view (and from what I saw a bit) as he went from a good to great defensive forward to a well below average one with his 0.1 DGVT compared to his 2.7 to 4.4 he was before. His ice time was around the same (in fact he played a career high in minutes) so that isnt an obvious factor behind it. He also was the worst Red Wing forward per 60 at drawing penalties.

Most of this is pretty understandable considering he was coming out of the KHL (an inferior league) and the fact that he was given significantly less powerplay minutes 2:14 per game compared to his over 3 minutes per game in 08/09. Now obvously this is a bit of a chicken and egg argument as the question is whether Hudler played himself off the PP or the lack of PP threw him off his offensive game a bit.

Still I think its reasonable to expect a rebound with better linemates, more PP time and the fact that he's back in the NHL for a 2nd straight year. There are some questions I do have on him whether his career high in shooting percentage in 08-09 (Despite taking alot more shots), his career high in penalty drawn/taken ratio are real and whether his decline in defensive GVT will stick.

So I think if I had to make a prediction Hudler is a 50 point player (17 goals) again with a positive penalty plus minus and is a good two way player again.


Edit: Just an outsider's take though, you guys know him better

[BranWingss]

If you don't mind me contributing (I like talking hockey in general not just the Leafs) I will add my thoughts on Hudler.

Last season was certainly a mess for Hudler all over the ice taking a 20 point step backwards on offense and cutting his goal total nearly in half. Defensively he was worse at least from a statisitical point of view (and from what I saw a bit) as he went from a good to great defensive forward to a well below average one with his 0.1 DGVT compared to his 2.7 to 4.4 he was before. His ice time was around the same (in fact he played a career high in minutes) so that isnt an obvious factor behind it. He also was the worst Red Wing forward per 60 at drawing penalties.

Most of this is pretty understandable considering he was coming out of the KHL (an inferior league) and the fact that he was given significantly less powerplay minutes 2:14 per game compared to his over 3 minutes per game in 08/09. Now obvously this is a bit of a chicken and egg argument as the question is whether Hudler played himself off the PP or the lack of PP threw him off his offensive game a bit.

Still I think its reasonable to expect a rebound with better linemates, more PP time and the fact that he's back in the NHL for a 2nd straight year. There are some questions I do have on him whether his career high in shooting percentage in 08-09 (Despite taking alot more shots), his career high in penalty drawn/taken ratio are real and whether his decline in defensive GVT will stick.

So I think if I had to make a prediction Hudler is a 50 point player (17 goals) again with a positive penalty plus minus and is a good two way player again.


Edit: Just an outsider's take though, you guys know him better

Bam, hit it all really. Hudler was never really a good two-way player, but was good enough to keep from making big mistakes and such. We have too many good penalty killers for him to get on.

I'd like to see him mix in between the top three lines. I'd also like to see him get some PP time with Dats. He, and Zetty don't have chemstry at all. I'm thinking he returns to 50 points, and is anywhere from -2 to +4.

[Mudvayneowns91]

My expectations are moderately low for him. I'm saying closer to last year than 60 points. 10-15 goals and 30 assists. If he breaks 50 points, it'll be solid. Certainly there's some wiggle room depending on what line he's put on. Pavel makes everyone around him better.

[Da Jam Hammer]

I'm thinking upper 40's for points. Obviously, if he plays with Pav he could put up 60 or so.

[pidg88]

Sorry this wings fan has had enough of Hudler. One of my favorite wings post his move to KHL I hate his game now and hope we dont waste time and put him on a line with Dats and give more deserving people a shot. His confidence was at an all time low and there is nothing to pick that up, I strongly believe thats why he had a bad season last year and why he will have a bad year this year. Around 30-35 pts is what I am expecting.

[westhockeytown]

I expect him to get moved out east somewhere, Wings pick up similar type player who has the one thing Huds lacked last season, confidence. Or 45 point season and is shuffled out the back door in July 2012.

[lurkinglionsfan]

I expect him to get moved out east somewhere, Wings pick up similar type player who has the one thing Huds lacked last season, confidence. Or 45 point season and is shuffled out the back door in July 2012.

this

[Boom!]

It all depends on where Hudler fills in. He isn't going to be the main focus of any line.

If he is on the third line then it is high 30's - low 40's. If he plays in the top 6 it is low 50's.

He really struggled early on last season but he did find his stride once he played with Datsyuk (if I remember correctly). Really interesting season for Hudler and I would not be surprised he things about springing for the KHL (and yes I know his history!) again after this season if things don't go well. He just seems like an enigma to me and I don't know how to figure him out.

[StealingSigns]

If this guy hits 50 points I will be astonished. The white van treatment did nothing. In fact, it got to the point where he started going on about Sparta Prague, whatever the **** that is, and was fine swimming back from Windsor, despite my offer to take him back across the Ambassador.

[hoog]

For me, he looked out of place. I agree with BranWings, get him away from Zberg and both will be better for it. His place is on the line with Pavel, he compliments that better, and then I would give him expectations of 25 goals, 60 pts. , and an even +/-

[westhockeytown]

If this guy hits 50 points I will be astonished. The white van treatment did nothing. In fact, it got to the point where he started going on about Sparta Prague, whatever the **** that is, and was fine swimming back from Windsor, despite my offer to take him back across the Ambassador.

He has to admit he's got a problem before he can begin to fix it.