DETROIT -- Jiri Hudler's last NHL season, 2008-09, was his most productive. And the Detroit Red Wings expect nothing less this season.

They anticipated a transition period after his return from Russia, so they are not overly concerned that he has no goals, two assists and a minus-4 rating after six games.

But the urgency to start producing is increasing. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wants Hudler to compete harder.

"Work and get on the puck and hang onto the puck," Babcock said before Thursday's 4-2 win against Calgary. "It's real simple. You can't play in this league on the move. You got to stop on defense, you got to stop on pucks, you got to compete on pucks.

"When he gets all that back -- and we knew there was going to be a process here, just by being away and playing where he played -- but to compete here and be as good as he's capable of being, we need him to really compete on pucks.

"He's got a ways to go, but I think that line has a lot of growth potential in it, and Huds, in my opinion, has a chance to be a star. But he's got to work."

The third line still is finding its way. Mike Modano, Dan Cleary and Hudler have combined for two goals, three assists and a minus-11 rating.

That line was outplayed Thursday by the Flames' third unit, featuring Mikael Backlund (two goals), Curtis Glencross and Brendan Morrison.

Hudler, who had career highs of 23 goals and 57 points in 2008-09, said before the game he is not worried about the slow start.

"Eventually it's going to come, and then you just got to get on a roll," Hudler said. "We got to put more pucks on the net, we got to score goals when we get our chances. You're not going to get 5-6 chances a night, you're going to have 1-2. You got to bury it."

They have yet to click on the ice, but Hudler and Modano have bonded off the ice. They live close to each other and spend a lot of time together. But they don't talk hockey very often.

"You don't want to get hockey 24-7 into your head because then you start thinking about it too much and things get complicated on the ice," Hudler said.

Draper has surgery

Forward Kris Draper had surgery Thursday in Philadelphia to repair a sports hernia. He is expected to be out four to six weeks.

"When you're a veteran player and you miss the start, it makes it even tougher," Red Wings coach Babcock said. "He trains so hard and he's a committed guy off the ice. He did a great job this summer and ... for whatever reason didn't go the way he wanted.

"He's a big part of our team leadership-wise, and we'd like to have him around. Ideally, he'll get feeling good and get healthy and get back."

Longtime fan honored

The Red Wings acknowledged Kenneth Rucker, a season-ticket holder since 1972 who was known as "The Orange Hat Guy," during a TV timeout in the first period. Rucker died last week.

Several fans wore orange wool caps in his honor, and the club covered his lower-bowl seat with an orange fabric.