Radko Gudas

Lore & Background

Gudas was raised in Kladno and played for HC Rabat Kladno before moving to North America in 2009. He spent one season with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, posting 7 goals, 30 assists, and 151 penalty minutes. The Tampa Bay Lightning selected him 66th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft. He played in the American Hockey League with the Norfolk Admirals and Syracuse Crunch, winning the Calder Cup with the Admirals in 2012. Gudas made his NHL debut on 11 March 2013 against the Florida Panthers, and his physical style led to a notable collision with Panthers forward Kris Versteeg, who required season-ending knee surgery. He later played for the Philadelphia Flyers, where he received a three-game suspension in 2015 for an illegal check to the head of Mika Zibanejad, and a six-game suspension in 2016 for an interfering hit on Austin Czarnik. Gudas was traded to the Washington Capitals in 2019 and signed with the Florida Panthers as a free agent in 2020. He joined the Anaheim Ducks on a three-year contract in 2023 and was named the ninth captain in franchise history entering his second season. In March 2026, Gudas delivered a knee-on-knee hit to Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, causing a torn MCL and earning a five-game suspension. The incident drew attention from hockey commentators and fans, leading George Parros, head of the NHL's Department of Player Safety, to schedule a rare media availability and attend a rematch between the Ducks and Maple Leafs. Gudas fought Max Domi at the opening faceoff of that game. He was traded back to the Florida Panthers in June 2026.

Reader's Guide

Radko Gudas's career is defined by his physical, aggressive style of play and a history of suspensions and controversial hits. He established himself as a hard-hitting defenceman in the AHL, amassing 165 penalty minutes in his rookie season and helping the Norfolk Admirals set a professional hockey record with 28 consecutive wins en route to the Calder Cup. His NHL tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks, and Florida Panthers has been marked by both his role as a top-four defender and his reputation for delivering dangerous hits. Gudas was suspended multiple times, including for an illegal check to the head of Mika Zibanejad and a hit on Austin Czarnik. His most notable incident occurred in 2026 when he injured Auston Matthews with a knee-on-knee hit, prompting the NHL Department of Player Safety to publicly address concerns about his play. Despite these controversies, Gudas also achieved international success, winning a gold medal with the Czech Republic at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and representing his country at the 2014 and 2026 Winter Olympics. He served as captain of the Anaheim Ducks from 2024 to 2026, becoming the ninth captain in franchise history.

Did You Know?

• Gudas was selected by the Everett Silvertips in the first round of the CHL Import Draft with the 20th pick.
• He helped the Norfolk Admirals set a professional hockey record by winning 28 consecutive games in the 2011–12 season.
• Gudas was named the ninth captain in Anaheim Ducks franchise history.