Elliotte Freidman reveals surprise front runner to be the new Anaheim Ducks captain

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Tom Banks
September 6, 2024 (1:48 PM)

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The Anaheim Ducks played without a captain in 2023/24, and have been without one since Ryan Getzlaf, but now we may know the next man to wear the 'C'.

Last summer, Radko Gudas had a big free agency decision to make, and despite reported interest from his former playoff rival the Toronto Maple Leafs, he headed West to the Anaheim Ducks. This was considered a surprise decision, but he played well in his first season on the Ducks' blue line, tallying 6 goals and 18 points in 66 games played, while posting an impressive +14 differential despite the overall team play being poor.

At 34 years of age, he's locked into the Ducks for the next two years, and reportedly he's about to get a huge change in role, as NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has revealed that Gudas may be the front-runner to be the new Ducks captain.

This would be a shock call but given what a young team this is, having an experienced veteran still playing at a fairly high level to be your leader would certainly be an interesting but respectable choice. This is a team that's loaded full of young talent however, and with both Mason MacTavish and Troy Terry wearing the 'A' a season ago, many would look at someone like those two to be the captain, as they could grow and develop with the team for a long time.

Regardless, they've played two straight years without a captain since the retirement of Ryan Getzlaf, and if they're rushed to make a call, Gudas could be that man, but if they are patient, both MacTavish or Terry would certainly make much more popular choices.