'He said he loves me': Sasha Barkov heard from Radko Gudas after sad solo high five
While Gudas played for Florida, he and Barkov shared a giant postgame high five after every Panthers win
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports - 'He said he loves me': Sasha Barkov heard from Radko Gudas after sad solo high fiveFor the past several seasons, Florida Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov has had the same postgame victory celebration.
After every Panthers win, as Barkov would come off the ice, he’d reach his right hand high in the air.
Waiting for Barkov’s hand was the hand of a teammate, and they would meet in the middle for a wonderful windmill high five.
That teammate was now-former Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas, who signed a lucrative deal with the Anaheim Ducks during the offseason.
Gudas spent three seasons with Florida after being one of the first signings after Bill Zito was hired as general manager back in 2020.
He has been credited, along with Patric Hornqvist, with starting the culture change among the Panthers players that has shifted the franchise from one seemingly mired in mediocrity to one considered an annual contender for the Stanley Cup.
Getting back to the postgame high five, it became something that was as much a part of any victory as was the congratulate-the-goalie line.
Videos of it can be found littered across social media.
But now Gudas is gone.
On Monday, the Panthers picked up their first win of the season, beating the New Jersey Devils 4-3.
Afterwards, as Barkov was leaving the ice, he put his hand up as he always does after a victory.
This time, however, there was no hand waiting to meet his.
Barkov tilted his head to the side, an apparent showing of sadness that his bearded buddy wasn’t there to enjoy the win with.
“He’s one of those guys who you love to have on your team, he’s a great person and everyone misses him,” Barkov said when asked about the phantom high five. “But not he’s there and we’re happy for him.”
Video of the Gudas-less celebration immediately began making the rounds online.
Barkov said he was aware but hadn’t actually gone back to watch it yet.
Gudas, however, did see it, and then he reached out to his former captain.
“He said he loves me,” Barkov said through a smile.
As for the solo celebration, Barkov indicated that was probably going to be a one-time thing.
“I think one game was enough,” he said. “Maybe I’ll find someone else to do that with.”
But who would be the top candidate?
“That’s a good question,” Barkov said. “We need one guy who will stay there until the end.”
This will certainly be something to keep an eye on after the next few Panthers victories.
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