Yardbarker: Danny Markov

Hudler in Russia: 'I don't know rules regarding arbitration exactly'

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:25:00 -0500

There are few NHL players training with Dynamo Moscow in Russia right now, like Alex Ovechkin, Max Afinogenov and Andrei Markov. There's also a former NHL player preparing for his first season in the KHL: Jiri Hudler, formerly of the Detroit Red Wings. Sovetsky Sport's Pavel Lysenkov sat down with Hudler after practice to talk about the Red Wings, the war between the NHL and the KHL, coming to Russia, what Jaromir Jagr said Jiri signed with Dynamo Moscow and some other things. He has ...

Hudler’s Pact with Russian Team Raises Questions for Red Wings and NHL

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:59:06 -0500

On Thursday, Jiri Hudler became the first Red Wing to bolt for the Continental Hockey League, signing a two-year tax-free deal with Moscow Dynamo, at an estimated worth anywhere from $3 million to $5 million per year. Hudler’s defection to Russia is significant because it is only the second time Ken Holland has lost a player to another league since he became General Manager in 1997, the first one being defenseman Danny Markov who signed with signed with a KHL team after the 2006-07 season. Although less than a month old, it has been a difficult off-season for the Winged Wheel. First, Marian Hossa signs a twelve-year pact with the rival Chicago Blackhawks, and then the team loses several free agents in a mini exodus. Although the Hossa experiment seems to have failed, Hudler’s unexpected departure is potentially more troubling for fans because the deal he signed with Dynamo, depending on reports, is not worth substantially more than what he was being offered by Holland. This piece of information, coupled with the fact that Hudler was scheduled for salary arbitration (where he figured to receive a significant raise), elicits a variety of questions regarding Hudler’s motivation to leave Detroit and the state of the proud franchise.While one should not sound immediately the panic button in Detroit, Holland faces the daunting task of quickly retooling a team that lacks some toughness up front and possesses an aging defensive corps. While the Wings have a tremendous nucleus in tact, as the team has Pavel Datsyuk, Henrick Zetterberg and Johan Franzen signed for the foreseeable future, Holland lacks the salary cap room to maneuver and plug holes with the necessary talent. Hudler is only 25, and has many years of good hockey ahead in his career. Holland expects Hudler to resume his Red Wing career once the KHL contract concludes, as he was quoted saying that Hudler is “going to have a contract that he's going to have to honor when he comes back.” But even without the talented young Czech, the Wings are not devoid of young talent. Holland, along with Assistant General Manager Jim Nill and hall of famer – turned executive – Steve Yzerman, are known amongst the league as being shrewd talent evaluators and developing young players through its system, so the right players to make sure that Detroit remains competitive may already be in Grand Rapids – Detroit’s AHL affiliate. Detroit just resigned former Swedish Elite League MVP Ville Lieno and speedy grinder Darren Helm to contracts, who will most likely take the ice-time previously delegated to Hudler. But looking at the National Hockey League as a whole, Hudler’s commitment to Dynamo may be an ominous sign. With the NHL salary cap only going up by a mere $100,000 for the 2009-10 season, and the global financial crisis still gripping much of the world, expect next year’s free agents to follow Hudler’s example. Payers will most likely be evaluating offers from any team that submit the best package. Hudler may be making headlines with his decision to play in Russia this year, but next year this could become a more common occurrence, leaving additional (and less capable) GMs in the same position that Holland currently finds himself. 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Truculence? Check.

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:41:00 -0500

Brian Burke, if nothing else, is a man of his word. Saith Burke, back on November 29, 2008, when he became the man to fix the Toronto Maple Leafs:"The first thing and probably the easiest thing to change on your team is the amount of the snarl, the amount of the bite. That's an important part of how my teams play."July 1st has come and gone, and the Leafs have increased their snarl and bite quotient tenfold, thanks to the acquisitions of Colton Orr, Mike Komisarek, and Garnet Ex...

Home Sweet Home: Flyers' Game Three Observations and Notes

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:13:56 -0500

(FIREDFORWINNING.COM) The Flyers clawed their way back into the series with a 6-3 win over the Penguins in Game Three Sunday afternoon. Even during warm ups the Wachovia Center was in a frenzy, and the energy never waned. Pittsburgh actually came out strong to start the game, with much of the early play spent in the Flyers zone. But despite being outshot nine-to-two 12 minutes into the game the home team made the most of their chances, and the scoreboard had the Flyers leading 2-0. Getting A...

Fantasy Hockey Week 4 Waiver Watch

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:45:08 -0500

One of FIO's weekly fantasy hockey columns, staff writer Rob Edwards clues you in on some possible fantasy free agents to lookout for in Week 4 - check to see if any of these guys are on your league's waiver wire.

Devils pursuing Markov?

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:21:28 -0500

Mark Everson of the New York Post reports that the New Jersey Devils are considering signing unrestricted free agent defenseman Danny Markov to bolster their thin blueline.

Scouts at Sharks/Canucks game, Niedermayer and Selanne, Bouwmeester, Scatchard, Markov, Redden, and Gauthier

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:16:30 -0500

Which teams were scouting the Sharks and Canucks last Friday? Have Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne made up their minds about playing this season? Are the Panthers still trying to sign Bouwmeester? Do the Maple Leafs want to sign Dave Scatchard? Which teams are still interested in Danny Markov? Have the Senators discussed a new deal with Wade Redden? Why did the Flyers place Denis Gauthier on waivers?

Forsberg, Markov not in Penguins' budget

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:22:50 -0500

While Internet rumors suggest that the Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in forward Peter Forsberg and defenseman Danny Markov, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari reports that neither are expected to sign with the club.

Two contract offers has Markov pondering where to sign

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:42:04 -0500

The Score TV station are reporting on their website that unrestricted free agent defenseman Danny Markov is contemplating two contract offers.

All quiet in the Windy City

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:56:26 -0500

Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon is not actively looking to make any trade or shopping for free agents.