Panthers and Ducks Exchange Rights
The Florida Panthers have acquired the rights to defenceman Radko Gudas from the Anaheim Ducks. In exchange, the Ducks received the rights to forward A.J. Greer. Both Gudas and Greer are pending unrestricted free agents, and this transaction allows their new teams to negotiate contracts with them before free agency officially begins on July 1.
This move provides both organizations with an opportunity to secure players they are interested in before they become available on the open market. If either player does not reach an agreement with their new club by July 1, they will still enter unrestricted free agency.
Player Backgrounds and Recent Performance
Radko Gudas, who is 36, previously played for the Panthers for three seasons, from 2020-21 to 2022-23. He then joined the Ducks as a free agent before the 2023-24 season and served as their captain for the past two seasons. During his time with the Ducks last season, Gudas recorded two goals and 11 assists in 56 regular-season games. His presence on the blue line contributed to the Ducks making their first playoff appearance in eight years this past season, where they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Round 1 before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2.
Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek commented on Gudas’s impact, stating that he captained the club with heart and soul and made a significant impact in the community. Verbeek also expressed hope to sign Greer to a contract, anticipating what he can bring to the club.
A.J. Greer, 29, played for the Panthers for the past two seasons. He was part of the team that helped hoist the Stanley Cup. Last season, Greer achieved career highs in points, goals, and assists over 78 games with the Panthers. He is a native of Joliette, Quebec.
Greer’s offensive output last season nearly doubled his previous career high in points. He was initially a second-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2015 but did not establish a foothold in the NHL until signing with the Boston Bruins for the 2022-23 season. He was later claimed off waivers by the Calgary Flames before signing with the Panthers as a free agent in July of 2024.
Implications for Both Teams
If Gudas agrees to terms with Florida, it would mark his second stint with the Panthers. He is known for his physical and hard-nosed defensive play throughout his 14-year NHL career. Gudas leads active NHL defencemen in career penalty minutes.
The Panthers have been focused on adding grit to their lineup as they aim for the 2026-27 season. They have already added Brady Tkachuk and Garnet Hathaway this offseason, and if they can secure Gudas, it would further enhance their physical presence.
Greer is also known for his physicality. His recent offensive performance, coupled with his physical play, could make him a decent option for the Ducks. The Ducks had only two forwards who totalled more than 100 hits last season, both of whom are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. Greer’s physicality alone could be an upgrade for Anaheim.
The exchange of rights allows both the Panthers and the Ducks to engage in contract negotiations with their acquired players before the official start of free agency on July 1.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
