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I didnt realize we were gaining so much ground on the Blackhawks. Wow.
I could def handle this.. Huds is sorely missed and would be a welcome addition next season..
DETROIT -- A potential shake-up in the front office of Russian club Moscow Dynamo might pave the way for Jiri Hudler's return to the Detroit Red Wings next season.
Hudler wants to return to Detroit, and reports out of Russia claim the general manager who signed him to a two-year, $10 million contract last July could be switching teams and might not try to prevent the skilled forward's move back to the NHL.
"We played a little phone tag the last couple of days, so maybe that was something that was happening,'' Red Wings forward Kris Draper said. "I talked to him throughout the season and he missed it here. He missed playing in Detroit. He missed the city. He had a good relationship with the guys in here.''
There were no hard feelings between the team and Hudler when he bolted for the Kontinental Hockey League. Management and players realized he received an offer he couldn't refuse.
Hudler also has kept in contact with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland and some former teammates in addition to Draper.
The Red Wings were told his contract included an out clause after one year, although that has not been confirmed.
Hudler was awarded a two-year contract worth $2.875 million a season in his NHL arbitration case last summer -- a deal he and the Red Wings agreed on beforehand. That is the pact he must honor if and when he returns to the NHL.
His former teammates hope he comes back next season.
"The quality player Huds is and a character in the locker room, I think everyone in here would be thrilled to welcome him back,'' Niklas Kronwall said. "I definitely think he misses it a little bit here, the guys in the locker room and just the life in general.
"I do think it's a little different over there. Of course, we miss him as well, not only on the ice but off the ice.''
Kronwall said he heard Hudler might visit the team soon.
Hudler, 26, had his best NHL season in 2008-09, with career highs in goals (23), assists (34) and points (57). He has a terrific shot and a knack for going to the hard areas around the net despite his size (5-foot-9, 180). He is particularly effective on the power play.
"He's a guy that a lot of people like,'' Draper said. "He's a good kid. We certainly missed a guy like that, with what he could do offensively. So if we could get him back that would be a good thing.''
I could def handle this.. Huds is sorely missed and would be a welcome addition next season..
DETROIT -- A potential shake-up in the front office of Russian club Moscow Dynamo might pave the way for Jiri Hudler's return to the Detroit Red Wings next season.
Hudler wants to return to Detroit, and reports out of Russia claim the general manager who signed him to a two-year, $10 million contract last July could be switching teams and might not try to prevent the skilled forward's move back to the NHL.
"We played a little phone tag the last couple of days, so maybe that was something that was happening,'' Red Wings forward Kris Draper said. "I talked to him throughout the season and he missed it here. He missed playing in Detroit. He missed the city. He had a good relationship with the guys in here.''
There were no hard feelings between the team and Hudler when he bolted for the Kontinental Hockey League. Management and players realized he received an offer he couldn't refuse.
Hudler also has kept in contact with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland and some former teammates in addition to Draper.
The Red Wings were told his contract included an out clause after one year, although that has not been confirmed.
Hudler was awarded a two-year contract worth $2.875 million a season in his NHL arbitration case last summer -- a deal he and the Red Wings agreed on beforehand. That is the pact he must honor if and when he returns to the NHL.
His former teammates hope he comes back next season.
"The quality player Huds is and a character in the locker room, I think everyone in here would be thrilled to welcome him back,'' Niklas Kronwall said. "I definitely think he misses it a little bit here, the guys in the locker room and just the life in general.
"I do think it's a little different over there. Of course, we miss him as well, not only on the ice but off the ice.''
Kronwall said he heard Hudler might visit the team soon.
Hudler, 26, had his best NHL season in 2008-09, with career highs in goals (23), assists (34) and points (57). He has a terrific shot and a knack for going to the hard areas around the net despite his size (5-foot-9, 180). He is particularly effective on the power play.
"He's a guy that a lot of people like,'' Draper said. "He's a good kid. We certainly missed a guy like that, with what he could do offensively. So if we could get him back that would be a good thing.''
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