The Anaheim Ducks have made a significant move by sending the negotiating rights to defenseman Radko Gudas to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward A.J. Greer. This deal, finalized on Monday, gives Florida an exclusive opportunity to sign Gudas before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
Radko Gudas: Career Highlights and Impact
Radko Gudas, 36, had a solid season with the Ducks, contributing 13 points, which includes two goals and 11 assists, in 56 regular-season games. He also made an appearance in one Stanley Cup Playoff game. Gudas has a rich history with the Panthers, having played three seasons with the team from 2020 to 2023, during which he was integral to Florida’s run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. This campaign ended with a disappointing five-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Gudas joined the Ducks as a free agent on July 1, 2023, and was named team captain on September 19, 2024, demonstrating his leadership qualities.
Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round (66th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Gudas has accumulated 211 points, with 42 goals and 169 assists, over 885 NHL regular-season games. His playoff experience includes 10 points in 58 games, plus an assist in five games while representing Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The trade represents a continuation of a busy offseason for the Panthers. Just eight days prior, they acquired forward Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators, solidifying their roster with two first-round picks in 2026 and additional future picks. Florida also added Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers, making significant moves to bolster their lineup after a challenging season where they finished with a record of 40-38-4, missing the playoffs after winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
A.J. Greer, the forward acquired by Anaheim, is also approaching unrestricted free agency. This season, Greer set personal bests with 17 goals, 15 assists, and a total of 32 points in 78 games. He has a Stanley Cup championship under his belt from 2025 and has accumulated 81 points, consisting of 36 goals and 45 assists, in 326 regular-season games played across various teams, including the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins.
The Ducks have shown they’re not standing still either, actively engaging in the trade market. They recently traded the rights to defenseman John Carlson to the Carolina Hurricanes and moved forward Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues, along with defenseman Olen Zellweger to the Buffalo Sabres. After finishing the season with a record of 43-33-6, the Ducks clinched their first postseason berth since 2018 and made a commendable run to the Western Conference Second Round, where they were ultimately bested by the Golden Knights in six games.