The captain of the Ducks is still one of the most hated players in Canada and his time in Anaheim should be over

Yet again, the captain of the Ducks, Radko Gudas has become one of the most hated players in Canada. During this year's Winter Olympics, Gudas had a rough and awkward hit with Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby, which knocked the Pittsburg Penguins superstar out of the tournament. Understandably, Gudas became the ire of Canadian fans, while Crosby was placed on injured reserve and has yet to play in a game since.

In a frustrating loss in Toronto on Thursday night, Gudas targeted another superstar; the captain of the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews.

The knee-on-knee hit from Gudas was unnecessary and dirty, and ultimately cost the Ducks the game, as the Maple Leafs scored twice on the ensuing major penalty. Between the fallout, the backlash, and his place within the Ducks lineup, Gudas' time as captain should be over.

The fallout

Even the most rosy-eyed of Ducks fans could see that Gudas was going to be suspended for the hit and the NHL's Department of Player Safety levied him with a five-game ban.

The Toronto Maple Leafs also announced that Matthews would miss the rest of the 2025-26 season, as a result of the Gudas hit.

The backlash

Obviously, Maple Leafs fans are upset with losing their captain for the rest of the season, and fans of any other hockey team can reasonably understand their anger. The Ducks on their part, have yet to make an official statement about the Gudas hit or suspension.

Some of backlash though, has gone from just fan anger to being absurdly critical...

...to just plain idiotic.

When the Ducks host the Maple Leafs at Honda Center on March 30th, Gudas will have to answer for his hit on Matthews. But to use your platform to incite violence towards any other Ducks skater, just because you're mad and the Matthews injury just adds to the train wreck of the Maple Leafs season, is irresponsible and stupid.

The captain's time in Anaheim should be over

Regardless of the backlash from the Gudas hit and suspension though, his time with the Ducks should be over. Prior to the suspension, Gudas primarily skated on the second pair with Olen Zellweger. In 52 games with the Ducks this season, Gudas has registered 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) and averaged 16:39 of ice time. Gudas is second on the team in hits (156), but second in penalty minutes (45).

With the recent acquisition of John Carlson though, Gudas will probably be pushed down to the third pair, as he is not a better defender than Carlson or Jacob Trouba. The Ducks also have capable and younger defenders already rotating in the lineup, such as Ian Moore and Drew Helleson. The prospect pool for the Ducks features Tristan Luneau and Stian Solberg, who should see time with the big club at some point in the near future.

Gudas is also in the final year of his contract and will become a UFA this summer. With Trouba and Carlson also on expiring deals, GM Pat Verbeek cannot afford to keep all of his veteran right-handed defenseman.

Final thoughts

Even though we cannot see inside the locker room of the Ducks and see what kind of value he brings to the room, from just an on-ice perspective, Gudas has become replaceable. He does not bring enough from an offensive perspective and his penchant for delivering big hits can cost the team. Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, Jackson LaCombe, Beckett Sennecke, and Cutter Gauthier are the future leaders for this iteration of the Ducks franchise. It's time for Gudas to go, the suspension just added further proof to that resolution.