Gudas signed a 3-year deal worth $12 million with the Ducks on July 1

It didn't come as a big surprise when Radko Gudas signed with the Anaheim Ducks last month.

The 33-year-old defenseman has played 682 games in the NHL and spent the past three seasons with the Florida Panthers.

They were three of his best in the league, and entering free agency, Gudas was one of the more coveted blueliners on the open market.

He ended up signing a 3-year, $12 million deal with the Anaheim Ducks, which was a hefty increase from the 3-year, $7.5 million contract he had signed with the Panthers back in 2020.

The contract brings a well-deserved raise for Gudas, who recently spoke with iSport in Czechia about his new deal.

"I'm not the youngest anymore, I knew that this was one of the last contracts for me," Gudas said, through translation. "We have four children, I also had to look at the financial side. I have considered all the factors. When I talked with my agent and my wife, Anaheim got along the best of all."

In the weeks and months leading into free agency, Gudas was never shy about saying how much he wanted to stay with the Panthers.

He and his family were very happy in South Florida.

Gudas loved that he could come home from the rink and jump right in the pool with his kids, something he likely took into consideration when deciding where to continue his career.

"We loved it in Florida," he said. "The school for the children, the neighbors, the team, the coaches, everything. But the business side unfortunately didn't work out for us. We are starting again, in a new place."

Both Gudas and the Panthers knew that keeping him in a Florida sweater probably wasn't in the cards.

Gudas was a player several teams were targeting and the Panthers were not in situation where they could get into a bidding war, as the team was only looking to add short-term, reasonably priced contracts.

As for the teams who expressed interest in Gudas, he mentioned three Canadian clubs: Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto.

"I was surprised how many teams contacted me," Gudas said. "I was glad they were interested. The season, actually the last two or three, were successful, and I'm glad that they noticed it elsewhere. I could basically choose, and I think I chose as best as I could. When I put everything together, from the contract to housing, the team, and what is wanted of me, Anaheim was the best option for me."

Gudas said it wasn't easy leaving South Florida.

For a guy who's been in the league for 11 seasons and played for four different teams, there was something special about his time with the Panthers.

"It was one of my best hockey experiences," he said.

Gudas will be missed in South Florida, by the fans, his teammates and even us media guys. As scary as he may have been on the ice, he was always a kind, friendly guy off the ice who never shied away from giving honest and direct answers.

Wishing Radko nothing but the best out west, and glad Florida only has to play him twice a year.

He should get a warm reception and a nice tribute video when the Ducks visit Sunrise on Monday, Jan. 15.