UPDATE: Sportsnet has since backed off the original wording of their story, which began with the clear statement, "Jiri Hudler is staying in Detroit rather than heading to Russia." Ansar Khan at MLive.com also got direct word from Detroit GM Ken Holland that "The story's over. He's going to play in Russia." The arbitrator's ruling apparently has not come in yet, and Hudler is still expected to head to the KHL. The contract that results from NHL arbitration will at least cover Hudler's NHL rights should he return to North America at some future point.

So much for relying on Sportsnet as a news outlet going forward!

ORIGINAL TEXT

In an unexpected turn of events, the Detroit Red Wings have apparently signed forward Jiri Hudler to a new two-year contract worth more than $5 million, according to SportsNet. This comes just a day after the KHL declared that it would register his contract with Moscow Dynamo, and plugs a large hole in the Red Wings lineup after the loss of Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky, and Mikael Samuelsson via free agency.

Hmm... apparently guys can get out of their Russian contracts, Mr. Radulov.

Jiri Hudler

#26 / Right Wing / Detroit Red Wings

Height: 5-10

Weight: 182

Born: Jan 04, 1984