Calgary Flames Deal Jiri Hudler To Florida Panthers

The Calgary Flames have managed to deal winger Jiri Hudler and his $4 million cap hit on an expiring contract to the Florida Panthers.

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A deal was completed and announced by the Florida Panthers earlier today that will see the Calgary Flames acquire a 2016 second round pick and a fourth round pick in 2018.

Not a bad return on an expiring contract, especially since Hudler hasn’t came near repeating last year’s remarkable 31 goal and 76 point haul, this year.

He joins a trio of new signings headed down to the Sunshine State, with Jakub Kindl (from the Detroit Red Wings) and Teddy Purcell (from the Edmonton Oilers) also headed south in deals that see the Panthers essentially mortgaging this year’s draft.

Per the Panthers press release, Hudler adds good experience both in age terms and in Stanley Cup terms:

"Hudler, 32, has recorded 35 points (10-25—35) in 53 games with Calgary this season. The Olomouc, Czech Republic native has notched 155 goals and 406 points in 657 games split between Calgary (2012-16) and Detroit (2003-09, 2010-12). A Stanley Cup champion with Detroit in 2008, Hudler has recorded 41 points (16-25—41) in 77 postseason games."

The great value in Hudler for the Calgary Flames was his positive possession, usually alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. In the short-term, this represents a big loss for the Calgary Flames and a great gain for the Panthers.

Long term, it allows for big contract offers to be made to the two big restricted free agents for the Calgary Flames this summer; ironically enough, Hudler’s line-mates more often than not.

It’s unlikely Hudler will see as many minutes or sit on the first line in Florida, as he has with the Calgary Flames, but he does represent a very valuable piece in any teams play-off jigsaw puzzle.

Whilst he is going to be missed by the Calgary Flames as their unremarkable season draws to a close, he certainly did provide solidly enough for the team in his time in Canada.

Next: Calgary Flames Almost Home On Russell Trade

Do you have any special memory of Jiri Hudler as a Calgary Flames player, or will the parting gift of that beautiful tic-tac-toe goal be the lasting memory?

Where do the Calgary Flames go from here; let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.