The bearded blueliner returns to South Florida as the Panthers secure exclusive negotiating rights, eyeing a veteran homecoming before free agency begins to bolster their championship-caliber defense.
The Florida Panthers are bringing a familiar, beard-covered face back to the franchise.
On Monday, the Panthers acquired the rights to unrestricted free agent Radko Gudas from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the rights to A.J. Greer, also a UFA.
Both players will become free agents on July 1, but the trade allows the Panthers and Ducks to negotiate extensions with their new players for the next two days.
THN Florida reported on the Panthers' interest in a Gudas reunion last week.
Gudas, 36, previously played for the Panthers from 2020-2023 before signing a three-year deal with the Ducks, who also named the veteran blueliner their captain.
Now he and his family will return to South Florida, a place they were very happy during his time with the Panthers.
It’s believed that Gudas and Florida will come to an agreement on a deal that is lower than the $4 million average annual value he earned while in Anaheim.
We’ll see how things play out between now and Wednesday.
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Photo caption: Jun 2, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas (7) takes questions during media day in advance of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
