Radko Gudas

Philadelphia Flyers D Radko Gudas Playing Chicken with DOPS

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas is seemingly playing chicken with the NHL Department of Player Safety, which is a game he couldn’t win

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas has only played 2 preseason games, and he’s managed to make a suspend-able hit in both games. This is not the way for him to start the season.

Recall that last season Gudas was simply fighting for a roster spot. As he began to make an impression, that rise was thrown into serious jeopardy by questionable hits. Gudas was suspended one time last season, and was ejected from several other games for borderline hits.

As I wrote last season, Gudas was teetering on the edge of losing control of his reputation. Fortunately, Gudas got himself under control the rest of the season, and turned in a remarkable season.

Gudas parlayed his breakout season into a shiny new contract. I, for one, was anxious to see how Gudas followed up on that season now that there are expectations on him. The early signs are disappointing.

To start, Gudas wasted no time earning his first ejection of the season.

Gudas dodged a suspension for that hit, mostly because Vesey turned at the last moment. Gudas’ was already committed to the hit, creating an unfortunate situation. The hit was illegal, but it wasn’t quite worthy of suspension.

Just days later, Gudas actually did cross the line with another hit.

This time it appears Gudas will not dodge supplemental discipline. Gudas was offered an in-person hearing for review of this hit. This offer means the NHL Department of Player Safety may suspend Gudas more than 5 games after the hearing.

One could break down the video above and analyze how bad the hit is or isn’t, or how long a suspensions it warrants. This is missing the point. The larger point is that it’s not even the regular season and Gudas is already making irresponsible hits. It is impossible for the NHL to keeping ignoring these plays. At some point they would meet Gudas’ dare.

Well now the NHL is going to do something, and it’s going to make life very difficult for the Philadelphia Flyers. Between injuries and the salary cap, the Flyers are in a real bind in putting together a complete lineup. Gudas watching from the pressbox due to a potential suspension just adds another challenge.

Furthermore, his reputation is solidifying, and not in a good way. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said of Vesey play “I’ve seen that hit many times before from that player.” When he says that, most simply nod in knowing in agreement.

His hits are dangerous, and they hurt the Flyers as well as the opposing players. We don’t yet know how long the Philadelphia Flyers will be playing without Radko Gudas, but it will hurt the team.

Gudas’ irresponsibility on the ice left the NHL with no choice. It was essentially a game of chicken, and one Gudas had no chance of winning.

Gudas needs to be better and smarter. Period.