Overview
- NHL insider Kevin Weekes posted Friday that Radko Gudas is "gaining interest in the marketplace" and named the Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential fits.
- Gudas will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after a three-year, $12 million deal with Anaheim and is expected to seek a two- to three-year contract in the $3.5 million to $4 million average annual value range.
- The Maple Leafs have clear defensive needs after missing the playoffs and hold roughly $18.7 million in reported cap space, which would allow a short-term veteran signing to add physicality and depth.
- Gudas is a 36-year-old, physical defenseman with 14 NHL seasons and leadership experience, but he missed playoff time with a lower-body injury and remains controversial because a March knee-on-knee hit injured Auston Matthews and drew a five-game suspension.
- Anaheim still hopes to re-sign its captain before free agency opens, but if talks stall teams including Toronto could pursue Gudas and Toronto’s final decision may hinge on further roster and cap moves such as any change to Morgan Rielly’s status.