Wings' Jiri Hudler gets $5.75M in arbitration, but still going to Russia
Detroit Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler was given a two-year, $5.75-million award in NHL arbitration during the weekend. But it doesn't change his plans to leave Detroit and play next season in Russia.
“Obviously he’s going to Russia because it’s an opportunity for a financial windfall,†Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Monday. “But, right now his plans are to come back and play in the NHL and come back and play for the Red Wings.â€
While the Wings aren’t happy to be losing the 25-year-old forward, they’re happy with the award and will leave the door open for Hudler to return when he wants.
“We thought we had a good chance to win a salary in the high 2’s in Year 1, but based on the comparables, the second year was going to be a number in the 3’s,†Holland said.
It was speculated that Hudler could get between $3 million and $4 million per year. He will make $2.75 million in the first year of his NHL contract and $3 million in the second. In Russia, he stands to make $10 million (tax-free) over two seasons.
The Wings and Hudler’s agent, Petr Svoboda, came to a deal ahead of Thursday’s arbitration hearing, which is why Holland didn’t attend the Toronto meeting. Hudler’s side was worried that if he negotiated a deal ahead of arbitration, the Kontinental Hockey League could choose not to register his contract with Moscow Dynamo.
The KHL registered Hudler’s contract the day of the arbitration hearing because they believe NHL restricted free agents, even after filing for arbitration, are free to sign elsewhere.
By doing it this way, the Wings avoided getting hit with a higher cap number if they had lost the arbitration ruling and didn’t burn bridges with a player who could return in two seasons in the prime of his career.
With the arbitration over and Hudler heading to Russia, Holland will try to sign one, possibly two players who can add scoring to the lineup. The Wings hope to add players who can score at least 15 goals.
The Wings could have as much as $3 million available, depending on whether Justin Abdelkader starts the season in Grand Rapids, whether they trade one of their eight defensemen or whether they place defenseman Andreas Lilja (still suffering headaches from a concussion) on long-term injured reserve.
Holland said he’s still interested in former Wing Jason Williams, but declined to say who else he has talked to the past two weeks. Alex Tanguay, Vinny Prospal, Todd Bertuzzi, Petr Sykora and Mike Comrie are potential candidates.
