Radko Gudas named captain of the Anaheim Ducks

[AngelDuck]

So pumped about this. Few better guys for our young guys to learn from IMO

 

[KelVarnsen]

Dang there are some salty fans on the main board regarding Gudas.

 

[Terry Yake]

fowler right now

 

[Kalv]

I feel like the people upset by this are either; people who think only your best player should be captain, and leaf fans.

I don’t have strong feelings either way, I like Gudas overall and if the team wants him as captain then cool.

Or just other teams fans in general. I haven't seen a single upset post on our boards about it. I have yet to dive in the main board but it sounds like it's a salt mine

Everyone hates to play against Gudas. Everyone would welcome him on theirs. We're the lucky ones having him, even if he's on the decline one or other way

 

[branmuffin17]

That's fair. But I would counter that when you play with an intentionally harder brand of hockey with intent in being physical, sometimes things will slip and he'll take a "dumb" penalty.

But if his +/- is from being on the 2nd pair, I think it's fair to compare with his partners at least to some extent. It won't give full context but it helps.

Those are his 3 top TOI partners over last season, and how those also faired with their next highest partner.

Vaaks was amazingly a +/- of 0 overall. Looks like he was a +5 paired with Gudas. With his next closest partner (Fowler), he was a -1. And with his 3rd (Lindstrom), he was a +3. (Interesting note, when paired with Minty for only 35:40 total minutes, he was a -7. Gudas was good for him.

Lacombe was a -24. His #1 partner was Fowler, and they were a gawdawful -21. Lacombe with Minty (#3 partner) was -5. Gudas was good for him.

Minty's #1 was Bush by a huge margin (540:49 TOI). He was a -5 with him. Lacombe was his #2, and Gudas his #3. Consider this. In ALL pairings Minty had, he was never a + player. We're talking about how much potential he has (and I do agree), but it looks like he definitely needs more work on the D side (of course +/- is a weak stat but still...). Gudas couldn't help him enough here.

But when the team is a collective -91 goal differential, Gudas being a +14 is still impressive.

 

[Terry Yake]

Or just other teams fans in general. I haven't seen a single upset post on our boards about it. I have yet to dive in the main board but it sounds like it's a salt mine

Everyone hates to play against Gudas. Everyone would welcome him on theirs. We're the lucky ones having him, even if he's on the decline one or other way

its mostly triggered leafs fans who are mad because gudas screamed in their goalies face. 95% of NHL fans don't know shit about the ducks either way

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

MEAT

 

[91Fedorov]

I don't think he's dumb but he takes quite a few dumb penalties and makes some questionable defensive choices. When I think of "cerebral" players I think of somebody like Nieds.

Again, I like the guy and I'm cool with the choice, but I think Gudas' +14 comes more from being on the second pairing than being a genius or a wizard.

I think that might be a little unfair. Nieds was exceptionally cerebral. It's a bit like saying, "I wouldn't call him smart. When I think of smart, I think of somebody like Einstein." I think Nieds is an unfair comparison for most players.

 

[mediator]

I don't care much for the Ducks but so happy for Gudas, Florida still loves him and will too! So in that way I wish for a good season for the Ducks, may Radko bring you gloooory