Calgary Flames Seeing The Real Jiri Hudler This Season?
Last season, Jiri Hudler performed way above all expectations for the Calgary Flames, reaching several career best totals. This year all is back to usual, it would seem.
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Last season’s totals of 31 goals and 45 assists were the best from the Czech winger in his NHL career, whether with the Calgary Flames or his previous team, the Detroit Red Wings.
Maybe the Calgary Flames run to the play-offs and late comebacks caused his personal statistics to become inflated; either way, the bubble has clearly burst and Jiri Hudler seems to be the same player he was when first suiting up in Calgary Flames colours.
Last season with Hudler performing at such a high level, the Calgary Flames had the dilemma of dealing him when his value was highest and damaging their play-off chances or risk signing him to a contract worth more than his true value down the line.
Related Story: To Sign Or Sell Jiri Hudler?
Thankfully, in his form tailing off, he has potentially made signing a new deal a cheaper affair for the Calgary Flames. However, the question can still be asked of whether he has enough trade value to consider shipping him.
Related Story: Should Calgary Flames Deal Jiri Hudler?
Based on this season, probably not.
He has missed games through injury and his pace in general has seemed off all year. Perhaps the injury struggles this year are actually a much larger issue?
Likewise, he hasn’t been delivering the good – six goals and eighteen assists, with a projected end-of-season return of 45 points is way down on the 78 point season he had last year. Much to his and the Calgary Flames chagrin, he isn’t getting any younger and likely won’t be playing at the level of his Czech counterpart, Jaromir Jagr at 43.
What can the Calgary Flames do with him?
Not a great deal. He’s found himself a healthy scratch on occasion; unthinkable last season. He’s seen younger players usurp him in the line-up and just generally what appears to be the passing of time and potential passing of the torch.
He still offers something to the team, but it seems the real Jiri Hudler is back after going ‘beast mode’ for a season.
Next: Calgary Flames Are Still A Work In Progress
What do you think of Jiri Hudler this season compared to last? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.