Nobody else is reporting it (in particular, TSN hasn’t noted it), so I doubt it’s true.

If it is, then Petr Svboda must have pleaded one Hell of a case….

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 07/31/09 at 10:38 AM ET

Sportsnet is jumping the gun (not the first time).  Being awarded a contract, doesn’t mean that Jiri has or is signing it.  If he signs it, this “awarding” means something.

It is like the job you are leaving having a meeting and deciding to offer you a raise.  Just because they offer that doesn’t mean I’m going to change my mind about going to that other, more lucrative job.

Posted by JD on 07/31/09 at 10:38 AM ET

Exactly, just because he was awarded the $$$, the Wings still have options plus Hudler’s camp thinks he does too.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 07/31/09 at 10:40 AM ET

2yr at 5mm+ per year?  or is it total value of contract?  Sounds like it’s more like 2.5/2.6mm per year.  That’s LESS than the Wings offered.  He aint’ coming back

Posted by bababooey on 07/31/09 at 10:43 AM ET

Does anyone else think this story is not over?

//raises hand

If this is for $5 million total for the two years, then no way does Hudler stay - but if it is for $5 million each year, then Detroit can’t afford him anyway.  Besides, $5 million tax free is still more than $5 million before taxes.  I don’t get it.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/31/09 at 10:43 AM ET

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2009/07/sportsnet_story_about_jiri_hud.html

Story’s not true.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 07/31/09 at 10:45 AM ET

$5 mill per season? Or over the 2 year term?

Posted by North Wings on 07/31/09 at 10:45 AM ET

Wow. If Hudler is supposedly worth $5 million—especially in the cap era and this economy—I’m REALLY glad that Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Zetterberg never went before this arbitrator.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 07/31/09 at 10:51 AM ET

Ha-ha at Sportsnet.  Whoops. 

Wow. If Hudler is supposedly worth $5 million—especially in the cap era and this economy—I’m REALLY glad that Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Zetterberg never went before this arbitrator.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 07/31/09 at 11:51 AM ET

Maybe Ed Belfour would have gotten one billion dollars.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/31/09 at 10:59 AM ET

Great at least we know now that another Wings move is pending.  Wonder who it’ll be?

Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 07/31/09 at 11:09 AM ET

Wonder who it’ll be?

Well, if it DOES come down that the Wings are going to accept the contract then the move will no doubt be Hudler.

But there’s no way that Hudler plays in Detroit.  At all.

What a retarded story, Sportsnet.

Posted by Garth on 07/31/09 at 11:14 AM ET

Of course, I read that as $5M a year…and logic dictates it’s probably about $2.5M a year, in which case, why would Hudler stay?!?

Posted by Garth on 07/31/09 at 11:16 AM ET

“The story’s over. He’s going to play in Russia,’’ Holland said. “We’re waiting on the terms (of the salary arbitration case) he has to (honor) if and when he returns to the NHL.’’

If this is true then think about it. Hudler goes and gets his money and more playing time over in the KHL. Maybe even gets better. Comes back in two years and then the Wings have him at a very reasonable price (if it’s 2.5 per). I think Holland knew this was going to happen no matter what.

Posted by YYZerman from Detroit, Michigan on 07/31/09 at 11:42 AM ET

Or YYZ,  does his impression of Martin Lapointe.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 07/31/09 at 11:44 AM ET

Holland definitely knew that Hudler was going to Russia no matter what the award was - whether or not he comes back is an open question, but both sides have a couple years before they need to worry about that.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/31/09 at 11:45 AM ET

If this is true then think about it. Hudler goes and gets his money and more playing time over in the KHL. Maybe even gets better. Comes back in two years and then the Wings have him at a very reasonable price (if it’s 2.5 per). I think Holland knew this was going to happen no matter what.

Posted by YYZerman on 07/31/09 at 12:42 PM ET

Then Bill Daly announces that league officials are looking into the language used while discussing this situation for hints of collusion in hopes that they can fine the Wings $5M and draft picks to “make an example” of them.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/31/09 at 11:45 AM ET

Then Bill Daly announces that league officials are looking into the language used while discussing this situation for hints of collusion in hopes that they can fine the Wings $5M and draft picks to “make an example” of them.

And we have a winner.

Posted by Primis on 07/31/09 at 12:02 PM ET

If you are following this topic by email, Sportsnet has changed their text, which I added to the post.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 07/31/09 at 12:18 PM ET

Then Bill Daly announces that league officials are looking into the language used while discussing this situation for hints of collusion in hopes that they can fine the Wings $5M and draft picks to “make an example” of them.

So I have two years to plan my coup d’etat of the commissioner’s office.  Excellent. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/31/09 at 12:44 PM ET

Unbelievable, sportsnet.  Craptacular reporting.  I wonder if that “source” is none other than Eklund and you’re being gypped.

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/31/09 at 02:24 PM ET

i dont even read sportsnet anymore.  It was good enough for me before, but ever since they had eklund on it during the free agent frenzy, to me , they were no longer a legitimate source of sports information.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 07/31/09 at 05:10 PM ET

i dont even read sportsnet anymore.  It was good enough for me before, but ever since they had eklund on it during the free agent frenzy, to me , they were no longer a legitimate source of sports information.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 07/31/09 at 06:10 PM ET

Ryan Smyth signed with Edmonton E5 was the last time i really took that douchebag serious. i was so pissed after i realized the truth that i just told him to cancel my account and i told him i will never ever come to his joke site .

Posted by Oilers Rock from Edmonton, Alberta on 08/01/09 at 01:47 AM ET

It was true.

Sportnet is not as good as TSN but they do report many trades/signings before TSN.  Sometimes hours before.  (in this case days)

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/08/jiri_hudler_states_that_agent.html

Hudler DID sign a 2 year 5.5M contract with Detroit…HOWEVER he still plans on playing in Dynamo.

I know everyone in this site craps on EK but even your beloved Dreger gives props to EK occasionally.

Posted by Mr. Nasty on 08/03/09 at 07:10 AM ET

Mr. Nasty, The mistake Sportsnet made was stating Hudler is staying in Detroit rather than heading to Russia.

That was a major blunder, then instead of stating a mistake was made, they just change the story.

Regarding Dwayne, if he stopped lying, he would be much better off, but those lies continue on a daily basis.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/03/09 at 07:14 AM ET