NHL Trade Rumors: Multiple teams showing interest in Jiri Hudler

The Calgary Flames are getting calls about upcoming unrestricted free agent forward Jiri Hudler

The Calgary Flames are not in a good position right now. It’s always hard to predict just how bad the Pacific Division will be, but the Flames, barring a miracle run, will most likely enter the trade deadline as sellers. Forward Jiri Hudler is their most obvious trade candidate since the Flames forward will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

From ESPN:

"The 32-year-old Czech scored 31 goals last season but has struggled with just six so far this season. Still, for the right price he’d be a nice top-six add for a contender."

Hudler would be a great low-cost add for any contender. He usually has a high shooting percentage (14.8 percent of his career) but it is just 9.7 percent this season. The Flames forward has been battling injuries that have limited his ability to get the puck to the net. That will most likely negatively impact the return that the Flames could get for Hudler.

The Anaheim Ducks could use anything resembling offense so Hudler could make a ton of sense for them. Florida has expressed interest in an upgrade offensively and Hudler could be that for them. Jiri Hudler’s old team the Detroit Red Wings could sure use some help scoring goals. Detroit could benefit from taking a chance on an old friend.

Depending on how long Marcus Johansson will be out for the Washington Capitals, it wouldn’t be too surprising if the Capitals were one of the teams expressing interest in Hudler.