Hudler Set to Return to Red Wings Next Season

Forward Jiri Hudler – who bolted Detroit for the Russian Kontinental Hockey League last summer – will rejoin the Red Wings for the 2010-11 season, his agent announced Friday.

“He wanted to come back to the NHL,” agent Petr Svoboda said. “He missed the NHL, he missed the Red Wings and the guys.”

Hudler signed a two-year, $10 million tax-free contract last summer with the KHL’s Dynamo Moscow. He was also awarded a two-year deal with Detroit at a cap hit of $2.875 million.

Dynamo suffered a financial collapse and will be merging with MVD Balashikha, freeing Hudler from his Russian deal.

Having spent this season in Europe, Hudler is ineligible to immediately join the Red Wings, with his contract kicking in for next season.