The Florida Panthers are trying to bring back a familiar piece to their blue line before free agency opens.

Florida acquired the negotiating rights to defenseman Radko Gudas from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday in exchange for the rights to forward A.J. Greer. Both players are pending unrestricted free agents, so the deal gives each team a brief window to negotiate a contract before the market opens on July 1.

Gudas, 36, spent three seasons with the Panthers from 2020-23 and helped Florida reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 before signing with Anaheim. He served as the Ducks’ captain for the past two seasons and was part of a group that helped Anaheim return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

“Radko Gudas captained our club with heart and soul over the last two seasons while making a great impact in our community,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. “We offer our thanks and wish him great success going forward. We hope to sign A.J. to a contract and look forward to what he can bring to our club.”

Gudas had two goals and 11 assists in 56 regular-season games for Anaheim last season. He has 42 goals, 169 assists and 1,124 penalty minutes in 885 career NHL games with the Ducks, Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning (2012-2015), Philadelphia Flyers (2015-2019) and Washington Capitals (2019-2020).

Greer, 29, played the past two seasons with Florida and was part of the Panthers’ Stanley Cup-winning team in 2025. He set career highs last season with 17 goals, 15 assists and 32 points in 78 games. He gives Anaheim a chance to add a veteran forward with size and a physical edge if the sides can reach a deal.

For his career, Greer has notched 36 goals and 45 assists with 448 penalty minutes across 326 games.

–Field Level Media