Former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas, who played for the organization from 2015 to 2019, could become the ninth captain in Anaheim Ducks history, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
If Friedman’s beliefs ring true, Gudas, 34, would be the first Ducks captain since Ducks legend Ryan Getzlaf retired following the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. Anaheim has elected to play the last two seasons without a captain and instead utilized a number of alternate captains – a group that includes Gudas.
“Gudas, I think, ends up being the captain there this year,” Friedman said of the fearsome Czech defender.
Veteran forward Adam Henrique was traded to the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL trade deadline, while Jakob Silfverberg has retired from the NHL after 12 seasons. Defenseman Cam Fowler, a longtime Ducks mainstay on the blueline, is working with the front office to find a new team to play for in 2024-25, according to Friedman.
“There is something going on here. I believe Cam Fowler and the Anaheim Ducks are working on what his future could look like,” Friedman said on the latest edition of his “32 Thoughts” podcast. “I don’t think this is… and I want to stress this: I don’t think this is a negative in any way, shape, or form. I believe the player and team are working together on this.
“Nobody is talking about this in terms of the team, but what I do believe is that Cam Fowler has a small trade list… I think 4 teams, that he could be traded to. But, what I heard is that Fowler has indicated a willingness to talk to more teams than that.”
With Getzlaf, Henrique, Silfverberg, and, potentially, Fowler, out of the picture in Anaheim, Gudas taking over as captain would provide the Ducks with some veteran stability if and when necessary.
Gudas, especially during his time with the Flyers, became one of the league’s scariest, most physical players, consistently instilling fear in his opponents and confidence in his teammates. A Flyers rearguard of four seasons, Gudas finished his career in Philadelphia with 17 goals, 56 assists, 73 points, 537 blocks, and an astounding 1,009 hits in 290 regular season games.
