Jiri Hudler Signs with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

It has been a sour state of affairs in Detroit for the Red Wings of late.

It's already been said numerous times that the loss of Hossa to Chicago, Samuelsson to Vancouver, Kopecky, and Conklin will hurt the Red Wings enough.

Then it came down to Jiri Hudler, who elected to go to salary arbitration with his Detroit Red Wings. No coach or GM likes salary arbitration, as it always leaves a somewhat bitter taste in their mouths.

Arbitration works like this: A player presents his accomplishments and qualities to an arbitrator, indicating that his services are worth whatever amount of dollars he thinks.

Here is where the sour taste comes in. It is then that the GMs turn to indicate the downside and negative effect the player has had in attempts to deflate his value so an amicable price can be reached for both parties.

Constructive criticism isn't welcomed by most, hockey players included, especially when it dictates salary.

The latest reports are coming from TSN and their sister station in Quebec, Canada titled RDS. 

They claim that Jiri Hudler has signed a one-year, $2 million contract within the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League) with the Dynamo Moscow.

As you may or may not know, the NHL and the KHL do not have the best of relations with one another, as players ignore contractual obligations with clubs to swap to the other side. 

Hudler was believed to be in the middle of negotiating a contract with the Red Wings when he filed for arbitration, which was supposed to have taken place from July 20 and Aug. 4 for all players that elected to go that route. 

By filing for arbitration, Hudler locked his options since rules and by-laws dictate that no other team can tender an offer sheet.

The Red Wings seem to be dropping a significant portion of the Stanley Cup winning roster from 2008. That same lineup went to the seventh game for the Cup in 2009. 

Hudler had 23 goals and 57 points last season with the Red Wings while making just over $1 million.

These latest events continue the bitter relationship, and battles over player rights with respects to their obligation to existing contracts between the NHL and KHL, where no one sees an end within reach.

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