Ducks News: Team Sees Veteran Free Agent Signing as On-Ice Mentor Role

You always need veteran players to show a team how to win!

Entering the free agency period, the Anaheim Ducks were in a great spot in terms of cap space. They held one of the highest available in the league, but many questioned how the team would go about things. For a team that finished the year in such a poor position, would they be aggressive in spending? Or would they make smaller signings to help the rebuild?

Well, the Ducks quickly answered that as they made two big splash signings out of the gates. One for former Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas to a three-year deal and former Tampa Bay Lightning wing Alex Killorn to a four-year deal. It was the kind of move that many didn't see from Anaheim as a rebuilding team but also signaled that the Ducks are ready to start competing again.

General Manager Pat Verbeek spoke on the signing of Gudas and what it means for the team going forward.

Verbeek knows how to build a consistent winner as he learned how to do so during his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning as they won Stanley Cups. He understands that it takes time, but once you start winning, the key is to stay there.

The signing of both players shows that Verbeek and the Ducks want to improve next season and use them as mentors for the younger players on the Anaheim roster. The team also added in second overall pick Leo Carlsson from the Swedish Hockey League to the mix as well. 

Gudas is known for being an enforcer out on the ice, so he will not only bring some stability to the blue line but can show the Ducks players how to win. It was a big signing for Anaheim and will help elevate them as the year goes on.

He isn't much of a scorer, only having two goals and 15 assists last season for Florida during the regular season, but he was a key member as the team made a run to the Stanley Cup Final. Both Gudas and Killorn know how to win, and that is a big reason why the Ducks brought them into the fold.