While he may not have the name-recognition of some of the other top-tier wingers that will be available this off-season, Jiri Hudler is still one of the most offensively gifted players in the 2016 free agent class. While his most recent season failed to live up to the lofty expectations set by his 76-point 2014-15 campaign, Hudler will still have plenty of suitors on July 1st, and has earned himself a modest raise from the $4 million he’s made over the past four seasons. 

Throughout his career Hudler has produced at a first-line rate, even if he hasn’t always carried that reputation in tow. In spite of being a more efficient producer of offence than Andrew Ladd, Kyle Okposo, Loui Eriksson, and Milan Lucic, Hudler will almost certainly command a smaller salary than all of these players. His 1.8 primary p/60 is tied with Steven Stamkos for first among all free agent forwards, although that likely oversells his value a touch. 

 

A career 15.1% shooter, Hudler is a sniper in the truest sense of the word. He possesses a quick release on an accurate wrist shot and the ability to make slick passes in traffic. Oozing offensive creativity, Hudler can create quality scoring chances for himself or his teammates if given time and space. Possessing neither size nor physicality, he plays a very cerebral game, using his great hockey sense to outsmart opponents and make plays in tight. 

At 32, Hudler is heading towards the down-slope of his career, although his lack of reliance on grit will likely mitigate that to some degree. I wouldn’t expect another 25+-goal season out of Hudler, but he’s still more than capable of providing scoring punch in a team’s top-six.

While the team could certainly use the help on offence, I’m not sure there’s a fit to be had between Hudler and the Canucks. They have cap space to burn, so it seems likely that they’ll explore younger, bigger, and more physical options, and accept the financial ramifications of pursuing those types of premium assets. If the team is looking for cost-effective veteran scoring in their top six, they’d be better off rolling the dice and re-signing Radim Vrbata  to a cheap, short-term contract in hopes that his poor performance last season was a one-off.  

As long as the Canucks attempt to serve two masters -developing and competing to make the playoffs- It will be difficult to predict just who they’ll target in free agency. Hudler can provide excellent value playing on a team’s second line, but it doesn’t look like that team will be the Canucks. With Sven Baerstchi and Anton Rodin already expected to make the roster for opening night, I just don’t see the team going out and acquiring another small, offensive-minded winger. Jim Benning clearly favor players who are able to bring size, toughness, and defensive acumen to the table, and Hudler doesn’t really check any of those boxes, so unless they strike out on all of Eriksson, Ladd, Lucic, and Okposo, I don’t expect the Canucks to give any serious consideration to pursuing him.