The Anaheim Ducks traded the rights to Radko Gudas to the Florida Panthers on Monday and got A.J. Greer back in a rights-for-rights swap that may not change either roster unless one of the players signs a contract.
Pat Verbeek framed the move as both an exchange and a farewell, saying Gudas captained the club with heart and soul over the last two seasons while making a strong impact in the community. He added that the Ducks offer their thanks and wish him success going forward, even as they try to bring Greer into the fold.
That last point is the one that matters most right now. Verbeek said the club hopes to sign Greer to a contract and is looking forward to what he can bring, which means the trade is about negotiating rights, not an automatic lineup change. In practical terms, Anaheim gave up the rights to a player it already knew well in return for a forward coming off a season that ended with Florida lifting the 2025 Stanley Cup championship.
Greer helped Florida in that run, posting 2-1=3 points in 16 postseason games, and he also set career highs in points, goals, assists and plus/minus last season. His path to this point has been long: Colorado picked him in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft, he spent time at Boston University and with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, and he has built a career that includes 326 regular-season games and 278 American Hockey League games.
The friction in the deal is obvious. Anaheim thanked Gudas for the leadership that made him captain for each of the last two seasons, then moved his rights in the same transaction. Gudas played 203 games with Anaheim from 2023-26 and recorded 9-38=47 points, but the swap shows the Ducks are willing to turn a respected veteran into negotiating leverage if it gives them a better shot at adding a player they want.
Whether the move becomes more than a paper transaction now depends on contract talks. If Greer signs, Anaheim gets a forward with recent championship experience. If he does not, the Ducks will have moved on from Gudas without adding a player at all, which is the risk built into every rights trade.
