
"The 35-year-old from Prague, CZE, signed a three-year, $12,000,000 AAV contract with a cap hit of $4,000,000 per season in 2023. His deal runs until the end of 2025-2026, when he will be an unrestricted free agent. $4,000,000 per season is a good price for a player with a strong defensive mindset and leadership qualities. As a veteran of the sport, three years is a perfect length as it's long enough for some stability but short enough that it minimises risk for the team."
"He was 33 at the time of signing and has continued to age well; however, signing a player of his age and physicality brings a moderate level of risk. With a young core, Gudas fills the veteran leadership spot that Anaheim was missing, bringing grit and experience to the defence where it may have been lacking. When compared to similar contracts, he is paid slightly higher than some defenders his age; however, his output and leadership skills may justify the price tag."
Five key factors determine a good NHL contract: cap efficiency, length and structure, player age and risk, team fit, and market context. Thirty of 32 NHL teams currently have a captain. Radko Gudas signed a three-year, $12,000,000 AAV contract with a $4,000,000 cap hit in 2023 that runs through 2025-26 and will make him an unrestricted free agent thereafter. The deal balances cost and veteran leadership, earning a 4/5 grade despite moderate age and physicality risk. Mikael Backlund, 36, signed a two-year $3.25 million AAV extension on Sept. 17, 2025, taking him through 2027-28 while remaining on his previous $4.5 million AAV deal this season.
Read at Puck Prose
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