Radko Gudas’ Daughter Broke the News of His Return to Florida and It Was Perfect

The Florida Panthers made a late-night move to bring back a familiar face on defense. And the call went out in a way that was impossible to ignore.

Radko Gudas is coming back to South Florida on a six-year deal with a $1.5 million cap hit. That much we knew from league sources. But the announcement itself? That came from Gudas’ daughter, Tynka, who recorded a video that the Panthers posted to social media.

“Hey Panthers fans, I know it’s been three years, but I have good news. I’m coming back to Florida, and I’m bringing my dad with me.”

That’s the kind of thing that gets shared in group chats and replayed on morning shows. It beat any press release by about a thousand points.

The long road back to Sunrise

Gudas, now 36, was picked 66th overall by Tampa Bay in 2010. He broke in with the Lightning, got traded to Philadelphia for Braydon Coburn in 2015, spent a year in Washington, then landed with Florida on a three-year deal. That Panthers team went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023. Gudas was a huge part of that run — physical, mean in the corners, the kind of defenseman you hate to play against but love having on your side.

After three years in Florida, he signed a similar deal with Anaheim. Three years there. Now he’s back.

In 885 career NHL games, Gudas has 42 goals and 169 assists. He also has 1,124 penalty minutes, which tells you everything about how he plays. He doesn’t cheat the game. He just hits people.

What this means for Florida’s blue line

The Panthers have already had a wild offseason. They traded for Brady Tkachuk, brought in goalies Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid. Adding Gudas gives them a veteran presence on the back end who knows the system and fits the culture. He’s not going to log 22 minutes a night anymore, but you don’t need him to. He’s there to kill penalties, clear the crease, and get under opponents’ skin.

The term is interesting. Six years for a guy pushing 37 is a bet on durability and character. But Florida is all-in right now, and Gudas is the kind of player who helps you win in June, not October.

His daughter probably said it best. He’s coming back. And she’s bringing him.