The offseason became a lot more challenging for the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, as restricted free agent forward Jiri Hudler officially agreed to a two-yearcontract with Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League.
"It's a testament to the perception that players have of the KHL as a viable option, from both a competitive and a career growth standpoint -- not to mention from a financial standpoint," said KHL North American spokesperson Shawn McBride.
Hudler, 25, was one of 20 players who filed for salary arbitration on Sunday.
Hudler and the Red Wings were in the process of negotiating a contract before the hearing took place between July 20 and August 4. By filing for arbitration, Hudler could not receive an offer sheet from another team.
Hudler earned $1.15 million last season while posting career-highs of 23 goals and 57 points.
The Red Wings - who won the Stanley Cup in 2008 and went the full seven games in the final last month before bowing out to Pittsburgh - have already lost a good number of players off last season's roster, including forwards Marian Hossa, Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Kopecky and backup goaltender Ty Conklin.
