Ducks News: Anaheim Signs Veteran Defenseman To Holster Blueline

Nice way to start free agency for Anaheim!

The Anaheim Ducks have made their first move of free agency, signing former Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas to a three-year deal worth $12 million overall.

This is a nice signing for the Ducks as it gives them some stability at their blueline and Gudas is known as an enforcer. For a young team like Anaheim, getting someone like this is huge and can help elevate this team. He likely will become a top-four defenseman for the Ducks and could pair alongside a young player in Jamie Drysdale. Gudas could really help Drysdale and show him the ropes of the league. 

He only scored two goals and had 15 assists last season for Florida during the regular season but he was a key member of the line that helped the team make a run to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the playoffs, Gudas put up zero goals and three assists. 

He isn't being brought in for goal scoring but rather as a veteran leader for this Ducks team. He also has a strong body that can help hold the line and can be a threat to score, even if he doesn't do it often. 

The team may have overpaid a little for his services but the Ducks were also the worst team in the league last season so it was necessary. This is a franchise in a state of flux right now so getting any good, solid players into the mix is needed.

This was a good, smart move by General Manager Pat Verbeek and one that could help this team build back up soon.