NHL Reportedly Upset With Hudler Move

The Detroit Red Wings have suffered a few potentially significant losses during free agency. One of them -- forward Jiri Hudler -- signed a two-year contract to play with Moscow Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League.

However, Hudler had previously filed for salary arbitration with the Red Wings. The National Hockey League, as a result, is taking issue with Hudler's move to Russia, saying he is still obligated to play in Detroit.

While the Red Wings haven't commented on the matter, both the NHL and International Ice Hockey Federation have.

NHL spokesman Frank Brown said in a statement: "We believe that Mr. Hudler remains contractually obligated to the Detroit Red Wings.''

In an e-mail, IIHF communications director Szymon Szemberg said: "The IIHF has been informed by the NHL about the Jiri Hudler case. Upon this, the IIHF has informed the Russian Ice Hockey Federation about the NHL's position and the case is under investigation. As this is a transfer to an IIHF member league the player will be needing an International Transfer Card (ITC), approved by the IIHF, to complete the transfer. Only upon the IIHF's signing the ITC, the transfer would be finalized and approved.''

Based on the criteria needed to get an ITC, it's a safe bet that this contract won't be valid without further negotiation.

It's not great news for Hudler, who reportedly stood to pull in $10 million from his Dynamo deal. He won't make anywhere near that if he stays in the NHL.

However, it's his own fault. If he hadn't filed for arbitration, his decision to sign in Russia may not have created much of a ripple within the NHL office.

While Hudler doesn't have a contract to play for the Red Wings, the final interpretation of his arbitration filing holds the key to his future.