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Ilya Samsonov’s Case Goes to Arbitration and Maple Leafs Might Regret It
Ilya Samsonov’s Case Goes to Arbitration and Maple Leafs Might Regret It

Did Radko Gudas Actually Spurn Interest From the Maple Leafs Because of the Media Spotlight?

Radko Gudas signed a three-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks worth $12 million on July 1.

It appears as though Radko Gudas received some interest from a few Canadian teams this summer but chose to sign elsewhere due to the media attention.

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In an article from iSport in Czechia, the 33-year-old defenceman revealed that he wasn't sure if he'd be able to handle all of the media on a day-to-day basis. 

“When I had the choice between Calgary, Edmonton and a team somewhere warm, Anaheim appealed to me more. But it wasn't about the weather, it was more about the role in the team, what they would want from me, and of course the financial side," Gudas said through translation. 

"In Canada, you also start with taxes at more than fifty percent. You can't say that California is different in this regard. It has thirteen percent higher taxes than Florida. But they also differ in other things, such as the media. Toronto also chimed in. We played against him in the playoffs and there was a big difference between the Leafs and Boston, who we faced before. 

"The Bruins went on to win the league by a record amount of points, but as far as the media was concerned, it wasn't as bad as it was against Toronto. I don't know if I want to experience something like that every day."

The article also said, in translation, that the Maple Leafs were one of the teams that expressed interest in Gudas when NHL free agency opened up.

The 33-year-old was one of the Florida Panthers' top defencemen during their Stanley Cup final run this past spring. Gudas was 13th for Panthers players when it came to time on ice in the playoffs, averaging 17:01 per game.

He had three assists in 21 games during the playoffs, one of which was on Brandon Montour's series winner in Game 5 vs. Toronto.

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