George Richards, FHN Publisher
If you go by official accounts, there are 15 members of the Florida Panthers taller than defenseman Radko Gudas.
No one, however, plays bigger.
Gudas, listed at an even 6-foot, may not be the tallest or heaviest player on the ice but as Anthony Duclair said last year: “I definitely like having him as a teammate, and not have to play against him.’’
And Gudas seems to love playing with the Panthers.
Those postgame high-fives and rubber rat shots at the bench from captain Sasha Barkov show that off after each win.
“I am having a great time, we’re doing good and it is fun to be a part of,’ Gudas told Florida Hockey Now. “I am willing to play any role and here, I am trying to use every opportunity I get when I am on the ice. I don’t take a shift for granted.”
The second player general manager Bill Zito acquired when he took over the Panthers in 2020, Gudas is a rough-and-tumble player who is also one of the team’s most trusted defenders.
Among defensemen, no Florida player starts in the defensive zone more than Gudas as 62.5 percent of his shifts begin in the Panthers’ zone.
Although the Panthers have bigger names on their blueline — Aaron Ekblad is a Norris Trophy candidate and MacKenzie Weegar placed seventh in last year’s voting — Gudas is a player Florida depends on to help keep the puck out of the net.
“He plays a huge role, him and (Gus) Forsling,” coach Andrew Brunette said. “Gudas puts his body on the line every night, his will to win is unparalleled, really. He also has a will to anything for his teammates as we saw (Monday) night. We’re really lucky to have him.”
Gudas’ defensive play has been welcomed, but his tough play was a big reason Zito made him the first free agent he signed.
It is no coincidence the first player Zito acquired was Patric Hornqvist; the second was Gudas.
The Panthers had plenty of skill — and would add more later — but needed to tighten things up.
Bringing in a game nicknamed ‘The Butcher’ certainly would fit that bill.
“He brings an element to the game,’’ Zito said when asked about Gudas’ play last season.
“I think anyone who has played against him knows — not unlike Patric Hornqvist — he is a guy you hate to play against.
”Generally, that means you want him on your team. He’s a leader. He plays the game the right way. He is a very smart defender. When you talk to him, not only does he bring an edge to him, but he is usually in the right place at the right time defensively. He is a great addition to our defensive corps.’’
Today, Florida is not only a team that leads the league in scoring but ranks ninth in hits as well.
Gudas is the biggest hitter of the bunch.
After leading the league in hits last year with 250 in 54 games, he leads the NHL again with 244 — 34 more than anyone else in the NHL.
On the Panthers, Gudas has almost twice as many hits as Weegar who is second on the team with 135.
Gudas is also second on the team behind Weegar (110) with 80 blocked shots.
”I want to play a defensive game, I am there to defend the main players,” Gudas said. “We have a team here with the same mindset. A lot of the guys are playing for the same reasons. A lot of people were not believing in us two years ago and all of a sudden, we’re the favorites or being talked about as a favorite. People are changing their minds about us.
“We addressed things two years ago, changed things and I like that. We have changed how we practice, how we carry ourselves. We don’t let up in certain situations. This team just doesn’t give up.”