The Florida Panthers are making a move to potentially reunite with a former blue-liner ahead of NHL free agency.
On Monday, Florida secured the negotiating rights to defenseman Radko Gudas from the Anaheim Ducks, sending the rights to forward A.J. Greer to Anaheim in return. Since both players are pending unrestricted free agents, each organization now has a short opportunity to sign their new acquisition before the free agent market opens on July 1.
The 36-year-old Gudas is no stranger to South Florida, having played three seasons with the Panthers from 2020 to 2023 — including a run to the Stanley Cup Final that year — before departing for Anaheim. With the Ducks, he served as team captain for two seasons and was part of a group that helped Anaheim return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek reflected on Gudas’s time in Anaheim, saying: “Radko Gudas captained our club with heart and soul over the last two seasons while making a great impact in our community. We offer our thanks and wish him great success going forward. We hope to sign A.J. to a contract and look forward to what he can bring to our club.”
During the most recent regular season, Gudas recorded two goals and 11 assists across 56 games for Anaheim. Over his 885-game NHL career — which has included stops with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2012-2015), Philadelphia Flyers (2015-2019), Washington Capitals (2019-2020), Panthers, and Ducks — he has totaled 42 goals, 169 assists, and 1,124 penalty minutes.
Greer, 29, spent the last two seasons in Florida and was a member of the Panthers’ Stanley Cup championship team in 2025. Last season was his best statistically, as he posted career highs with 17 goals, 15 assists, and 32 points in 78 games. Anaheim views him as a veteran forward who brings size and physicality to their lineup, provided the two sides can agree on terms.
Across his 326-game NHL career, Greer has accumulated 36 goals, 45 assists, and 448 penalty minutes.
