Radko Gudas

One of the NHL's toughest players switched coasts in the offseason, as Gudas moved from Florida to Anaheim. The 33-year-old blueliner is still capable of being a defensive force in a second-pairing role, and he's good for roughly 300 hits and 100-plus blocked shots per year, making him a physical force whenever he's on the ice. He's not a total slouch on offense either. He's produced at least 11 points in each of the last eight seasons and he's reached the 20-point mark twice. Most heavy hitters aren't worth a look in fantasy, but Gudas could be an exception, though playing for the Ducks will likely torpedo his plus-minus rating. As a result, fantasy managers in leagues that count that stat may want to look elsewhere on draft day.

Gudas led the NHL in hits a season ago, posting 355 in 77 games. It was by far a career high, although Gudas has also finished with 250-plus hits on five other occasions. Gudas offers next to nothing offensively, having never posted more than 23 points in any one season, but that's not why fantasy managers would draft him. Toss in the fact he plays for a good team and finished last season with a career-high plus-27 rating and you have a player with plenty of value in leagues which place an extra emphasis on hits.

Gudas only spent one year with the Capitals, but he was productive, notching 15 points, 164 hits and 40 PIM in 63 appearances. He's only topped 20 points three times in his eight-year career, so anyone who rosters Gudas will do so mostly for his elite physicality. He signed a three-year contract worth $2.5 million annually, so the Panthers will find a spot in the lineup for the Czech blueliner. Gudas will likely post around 15 points while adding nearly three hits per game and plenty of blocked shots in the shortened 2020-21 campaign. His on-ice value will likely lead to top-four usage, but his offensive output won't match that.

Gudas will stay in the Metropolitan Division for the 2019-20 campaign, taking his hard-hitting style to Washington. The Capitals were looking to gain some cap flexibility this offseason, so they decided to send Matt Niskanen to the Flyers in exchange for Gudas, who only has one year remaining on his contract. The veteran blueliner only had four goals in 2018-19, but ended the year with a respectable 20 points and plus-6 rating in 77 games. The gritty rearguard also chipped in 255 hits and 133 blocks, but his 63 PIM were a little disappointing. The biggest worry owners should have, though, is whether Gudas will remain in the lineup all season long, as the Capitals have some young defensemen that could push him out of the top six by season's end. Nonetheless, Gudas should start the campaign on Washington's third pairing, and if he's able to hold onto that role all season, he'll be a candidate for 15-to-20 points, at least 65 PIM and 250-plus hits.

The 28-year-old isn't typically on fantasy radars in standard leagues, but he can be an asset to owners in search of PIM, hits and blocks from a defenseman. However, in 70 games last year, Gudas posted 83 PIM, 170 hits and 123 blocks, which was a far cry from his 93 PIM, 280 hits and 124 blocks in 2016-17. Additionally, his scoring dropped off too, as he recorded just two goals and 16 points. A big part of the issue last season was reduced playing time. In his first two seasons with the Flyers, he averaged 19:35 per game, but last season, he averaged just 17:06. His playing time isn't likely to increase with the minutes for Ivan Provorov, Shayne Gostisbehere and Travis Sanheim all expected to continue expanding. Owners should only consider Gudas an option in leagues with hits and blocks, but don't expect him to be as good in those categories as he used to be.

Gudas smash! Although he missed some time here and there, the hard-charging Czech blueliner did everything you could ask of him in his second year with the Flyers, racking up 280 hits along with career bests in goals (six), points (23) and rating (plus-8), with that last stat particularly impressive on a team that had a number of players finish deep in negative territory. Although he still can't be counted on for major offensive contributions, Gudas is a notable source of PIM and blocks as well as ever-reliable hit totals. Further, as one of the most experienced players on the Flyers’ back end, he’s probably set for a boost in ice time in his age-27 campaign -- he’s never cleared 20 minutes, but he probably will this year. If that indeed transpires, a corresponding increase into the range of 30 points wouldn't be a surprise, and that would be quite valuable alongside his physical contributions.

The arrival of Gudas in Philadelphia brought everything the home fans could possibly ask for – his career-high 304 hits were second in the NHL only to the Isles’ Matt Martin, and his 116 PIM ranked 10th. Fantasy owners in leagues that count toughness surely treasured that production even though it was accompanied by only 14 points, more than half of which were accumulated over a red-hot 10-game span in March. As he enters his age-26 season, though, there’s reason to believe he might be in for an improvement in offensive output. The bruising Czech blueliner took a career-high 150 shots on goal last season, and if he keeps firing on goal so readily, he should be able to eclipse the 22 points he managed three seasons ago.

A hard-nosed, occasionally pugilistic defenseman with a sometimes surprising offensive touch, Gudas will likely find an appreciative audience in Philadelphia, where hitting and fighting are still particularly treasured pieces of the hockey culture. Knee surgery ended his 2014-15 season prematurely, then he was dealt to the Flyers, who were dwelling in the cellar and could afford to wait while he recovered. Now, Gudas will take up a role on Philadelphia's third defensive pairing, where he's a good bet to return to the 20-point, 150-PIM, 250-plus-hit stat line that he accomplished in 2013-14.

Gudas is one of the best and fiercest hitters in the NHL - guys see that beard coming and start shaking in their boots. He tied with David Backes for third in the league in hits (273) and became a YouTube sensation with his truculence. He's a beast in deep formats because he will deliver 20 points, 150 PIM and as many as 300 hits in a good season. He'll hold his own in standard leagues because of his "sin bin" dominance. Draft him late and enjoy the highlights (and facial hair).

Gudas is built like a fire hydrant and hits like a Mack truck. And he immediately became a fan favorite in Tampa with his bone-rattling hits after his call-up last season. His hits can change the complexion of a game and he's defensively sound. He won't deliver many points, but he will soon be the league leader in hits. And then there's that beard. Wow.