Calgary Flames Roster: To Sign Or Sell Jiri Hudler

Jiri Hudler is entering his fourth, and final year of his contract. Coming off a career year, posting 31 goals, 76 points total. The question remains, is it in our best interest to re-sign the 31-year-old winger, or sell.

With Hudler winning the Lady Byng trophy, this is without a doubt, the peak of Hudler’s career. Besting his previous point total from ’13-’14 by 22 points, Hudler benefited from playing with the electrifying pair of: Monahan, Gaudreau.

With Gaudreau’s raw skill and Monahan’s vision, Hudler posted a career high in goals. But, the question still remains – should Hudler be re-signed?

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The Calgary Flames have a myriad of free-agents, set to be re-signed at the end of next year. Names like: Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Markus Granlund, Joe Colborne, Drew Shore, set to become RFA’s, it’s hard to see where the money would come from.

Granted, our UFA pool is much more forgiving, with David Jones set to become a free agent, that is $4 million AAV set to be taken off the cap.

Karri Ramo, who just signed a one-year-deal, at $3.8 million AAV. As well as Jonas Hiller, who hits the cap at $4.5 million. We have some expendable assets in net. Especially with goaltenders Joni Ortio, Jon Gillies knocking at the door.

The menacing D-Core that Calgary has amassed is also due for an update, Kris Russell at a mere $2.6 million AAV, becomes a UFA at the end of next year.

As well as captain, Mark Giordano. Who is currently making $4.02 million AAV.

When Hudler signed in the summer of 2013, $4 million AAV seemed like a steep asking price. With the current success, it seems like a steal.

If we take a look into our cap situation, minus some players who I think will be gone at the end of next year (David Jones, Karri Ramo, Jonas Hiller). Our cap situation becomes slightly more attractive. In total alleviating $12.3 million AAV from our current cap, granting us $16.369 million left as cap space.

Now, this number seems low, especially with some of the talent that remains to be signed. Names which I listed above like, Monahan, Gaudreau, Russell, Giordano – these players are our future. That doesn’t leave much negotiating room for such important resources.

Should the Flames shop Hudler if the right deal is presented? In short, yes. With so much talent set to be signed, it’s tough to see how Hudler fits in to the picture.

If Hudler passes the trade deadline without being dealt, I see him walking to free agency come July 2016.

Connections to Mike Cammalleri’s end as a Flame can be made to Hudler’s. Here is a player who experienced success with the Flames, and as a result is due for a raise. Sadly for Hudler, it comes at a a frugal time for the Flames, where every dollar matters.

Next: Is Lance Bouma Worth It?

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