Ducks name Radko Gudas captain

[Stive Morgan]

Reminds me of Derek MacKenzie captaining the Panthers, or Bryce Salvador on the Devils.

Sometimes the young guys just aren't ready/proven to be leaders yet, and you need a veteran to rally around and guide the team.

I see why it raises some eyebrows since Gudas is an enforcer/goon/whatever you wanna call him, but I think it was the right choice personally. Plus, isn't he very well-liked in every locker room he's been in? Like yeah no shit the opponent isn't gonna like him.

 

[Sky04]

The ducks arent even the most promising rebuilding team in california

By the time ducks become good, gudas will be off the team and a young player will from the core will emerge as captain. Gudas is a doormat captain, just a placeholder

They're more likely to win a playoff round this year then the Leafs.

 

[Ducks]

Seems like a Fowler trade is going to happen sooner than later cause why would you not name Fowler captain?

Because he never shows an ounce of emotion, skates away from scrums like he's going to catch a disease, and holds onto the puck behind his goalie's net during blowouts because he'd rather ride out the clock than try and score one for the fans even when the team's going to lose.

He has never been captain material. Pretty good player, but not a captain. Radko on the other hand already was the captain last season without wearing the C. We all expected Gudas to be the new captain this season, so this wasn't a surprise at all.

 

[Jeune Poulet]

Pretty sure we made Neidermeyer the captain shortly after his arrival.

That's different.

Before arriving in Anaheim, Niedermayer was already a future hall of fame, a Norris winner covered in individual and collective hardware, and he had worn the captain title on occasion in NJ. It made sense in that context, because of his aura and accomplishements.

Gudas is just one of the boys. I mean, I could see a guy like that growing organically into a captain after several years but in the current context, it just seems like the Ducks feel they have few legit leadership options on the roster.

Nor is someone like Fowler or Terry going to be the better option as a leader.

Yeah, that's what I said.

Gudas is not an awful choice, but he's not an optimal choice. I'm not saying it's a bad decision, though.

 

[SmokeyDuck]

Different players of course no doubt. Regardless zero issues here naming Gudas captain. Slam dunk from Anaheim's perspective. He earned it. Not a high profile guy or upcoming superstar, just leads by example and is a good roll model off the ice.

 

[byrath]

That's different.

Before arriving in Anaheim, Niedermayer was already a future hall of fame, a Norris winner covered in individual and collective hardware, and he had worn the captain title on occasion in NJ. It made sense in that context, because of his aura and accomplishements.

Gudas is just one of the boys. I mean, I could see a guy like that growing organically into a captain after several years but in the current context, it just seems like the Ducks feel they have few legit leadership options on the roster.

I think you're making too much of it, captains don't need to be grown organically like spinach. You just pick a guy who already does leaderly things, give him the C and tell him to keep doing what he's doing.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

The leafs have nothing to do with the ducks ongoing rebuild so not sure why the comparison to tavares and leafs was made by numerous posters here

If you follow the conversation, those comparisons started when this thread filled up with weirdly emotional Leafs fans.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Lmao, how absolutely absurd. I guess it's a sign of the current times in Anaheim.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

he deserves it even if only for leading his hawkmen in support of flash gordon

 

[BraveCanadian]

lawl

 

[ManofSteel55]

Absolutely laughable captain choice

Why? The guy is a solid, hard working, tough nosed gritty veteran who has played for a lot of good teams and can bring the work ethic and culture from those teams - with the "hey, do you kids want to know how you have to play to win some games? This is how.". It could be very valuable for a young team.

Heavily disagree. John at least is a classy guy. Like naming Sean Avery your captain

Gudas isn't as dirty as Avery was. You don't have to be classy to be captain.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

He's a tough mean SOB. Anyone surprised by this has a flawed understanding of the game. I said when they signed Gudas he was everything they needed. Brought some sandpaper to a team that got punked by my Charmin soft Blackhawks.

 

[Felidae]

I don't get why people dunk on any player who gets picked as Captain. Doesn't matter if they're the best player on the team or a 4th liner, or if they are extroverted or "lead by example" types. if the team thinks they're fit for the role, who are we to judge as outsiders who aren't privy to what goes on in the locker room?

 

[Leonardo87]

For fans , especially some people in this thread….

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

It's funny. The fans of the teams Gudas has played for are pretty much in agreement with him being picked as captain. Should tell some people something.

 

[cc]

His age and contract status would suggest his captaincy is short term but otherwise, a good choice. A highly competitive "team" player is the type of role model you'd want for your young players