Saturday, February 27, 2016

Panthers Add Creativity With Hudler


2016 2016 2017
To Florida POS GP G/W P Cap Status
Jiri Hudler F 53 10 35 $4 mil UFA
--------------
To Calgary POS GP G/W P Cap Status
2016 2nd Round Draft Pick
2018 4th Round Draft Pick

The Calgary Flames have now indicated that they are sellers at this year's trade deadline, as they have moved a quality asset in forward Jiri Hudler to the Florida Panthers for a couple of picks.

The Panthers are currently leading the Atlantic Division and are really serious about making a run in the Eastern Conference playoffs, if not beyond.  The addition of Hudler to a very balanced lineup, top to bottom, young and old, is a solid one, where he could come in and really help just about anyone in that lineup.

Hudler's season in Calgary hasn't been nearly worth the $4 million cap hit he has been worth to the team thus far, but with only a month and a half to go in the regular season, his value could really rise on the beaches of Miami.

The Flames, on the other hand, managed to snag a very valuable 2nd round draft pick in this year's draft and then an extra pick in a couple years time, which isn't too bad of a return in this rebuilding/retooling era for the club.

ImplicationsIn the pool, Hudler belongs to Grant, whose team is battling to stay out of the basement this year, currently fighting with Wes and John R. for the dubious honour.  The move of Hudler to Florida is a good one for his side, as the Panthers have been far more consistent than the Flames, despite being just marginally more offensive.  This is a real plus for Grant, since the potential of playing with Jaromir Jagr or Jonathan Huberdeau has to be appealing.

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