Nick Piccone
In a flurry of NBA Draft activity Thursday night, the Flyers made some waves and extended one of their defensemen. That’d be a multi-year extension for Radko Gudas. From the Flyers’ website:
The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed defenseman Radko Gudas to a multi-year contract extension, according to general manager Ron Hextall.
Gudas, 26 (6/5/1990), recorded 14 points (5g-9a) in 76 games this past season, his first with the Flyers. He led the team, and ranked second overall in the NHL, with 304 hits, while also finishing second on the team with 157 blocked shots.
The 6’0”, 204-pound native of Prague, Czech Republic was acquired by the Flyers from Tampa Bay along with 1st and 3rd round picks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Braydon Coburn on March 2, 2015. He was originally drafted by the Lightning in the third round (66th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Over parts of four seasons in the NHL, he has a total of 12 goals and 34 assists for 46 points in 202 games with the Lightning and Flyers.
Gudas is definitely a physical presence on the ice, and has been suspended for fairly questionable calls. He’s got quite the reputation around the league, but I wouldn’t label him a dirty player. Then I’d have to call every player in the NHL dirty. And I just don’t want to.