The Anaheim Ducks are expected to welcome back their captain this evening. According to Derek Lee of The Hockey News, the Ducks will activate defenseman Radko Gudas tonight, and he’ll be in the lineup against the Utah Mammoth.
Gudas has hardly played in the last year of this three-year, $12MM contract. Due to a lower-body injury suffered against the Boston Bruins on October 23rd, Gudas has missed Anaheim’s last 11 games.
In the seven games he has played in, it was more of the same for Gudas, tallying two assists with 12 blocked shots and 23 hits while averaging 15:35 of ice time per game. Although his CorsiFor% had shown some improvements from last season, Gudas’ on-ice save percentage at even strength had been significantly lower than his career average.
Regardless, even in the twilight years of his career, the Ducks know what to expect from Gudas. He’s one of the most physical defenseman in NHL history, sitting at 3,081 hits over the course of his 14-year career. That places him with the 10th-most hits in NHL history (since the stat had began to be recorded), and is likely to pass Brooks Orpik this season and potentially Milan Lucic.
The Ducks should also benefit from his leadership upon entering a trying time of the NHL calendar. After winning seven consecutive games at the end of October into early November, Anaheim has lost three straight in regulation. Fortunately, the Ducks’ next six games are at home where they’ve only lost once this season. Currently in second place in the NHL’s Pacific Division, Anaheim’s postseason odds will only climb if they remain in playoff positioning by American Thanksgiving.