Jiri Hudler set to return to NHL next year

Detroit Red Wings winger Jiri Hudler (26) of the Czech Republic is seen during the third period of Game 2 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series, Sunday, May 3, 2009 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

As the Detroit Red Wings prepare to start their second round series against the San Jose Sharks, they’re getting word tonight that they’ll be getting a big boost to their lineup next season from Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

Petr Svoboda, the agent for Jiri Hudler, is expected to announce today that his client will be returning to the Wings next season.

Hudler was freed from his contract in Russia when his team, Moscow Dynamo, folded. Hudler has a two-year contract with the Wings worth $2.785 million per year.

Hudler departed for the KHL and Dynamo Moscow before the start of this season as the team and player couldn’t come together on a contract but with Dynamo Moscow shutting down operations due to poor finances, Hudler was free to go wherever he wanted to. Hudler and the Wings didn’t part ways on bad terms and there will certainly be room in the Wings lineup for him next year.