1) Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas is coming off an eventful 2015-16 season that saw him at the center of several controversies for his aggressive playing style but also gain the trust of head coach Dave Hakstol to play tough minutes. Gudas was rewarded with a new four-year contract carrying a $3.35 million cap hit; a big bump up from the $991,667 he made last season.
During the 2015-16 campaign, Gudas bounced back nicely from a knee injury that cost him the second half of the previous and prevented him from playing after he was traded from Tampa Bay to the Flyers. This past season, Gudas was second in the NHL -- and tops among defensemen -- with 304 hits and an average 4.0 hits per game. He ranked second on the Flyers and was tied for 19th in the NHL with 157 blocked shots.
The Czech defenseman even finished on the positive side of the Corsi/Fenwick ledger; leading all Flyers defensemen in that statistic despite starting roughly half his shifts outside the offensive zone at five-on-five.
After going goalless from October to February, Gudas unexpectedly contributed five goals to the Flyers down the stretch drive including a two-goal game. He displayed an underrated first pass, at least as short to medium range. However, he sometimes got himself in trouble when he tried to do too much with the puck.
Speaking of getting himself in trouble, Gudas' reputation for pushing the envelope with his physical play was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it led to an NHL suspension and several game misconducts as well as not receiving the benefit of the doubt on any marginal penalties. On the flip side, he was one of the few players in today's NHL who had a legitimate intimidation factor among some opponents. There were players who kept their distance and gave him room.
There is no longer a question, as there was last summer, whether Gudas will have a top-six role on Hakstol's team. He definitively answered that question in 2014-15.
Going forward, it will be interesting to see what Gudas does for an encore. He may be treading a thin line in terms of potential suspensions, but he also needs to push the envelope to be effective. Players who play his punishing sort of style can also be prone to injury, and the Flyers don't have a lot of physicality on the blueline beyond him in terms of veterans. However, the continued progression of 2013 first-round pick Samuel Morin could change the dynamic on the blueline, at least by the end of the year; not to mention the potential for Ivan Provorov to grab an NHL job out of training camp.
The Flyers seemingly have identified Gudas as a veteran defenseman player they intended to have around for a few years, whereas with the potential exception of Michael Del Zotto (eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer and whose next contract easily could shoot north of $5 million), there will likely be significant personnel change on defense within the next couple years. It goes without saying that 2015-16 Calder Trophy finalist Shayne Gostisbehere is in the long-term mix as well.
Mark Streit proved to be a very good addition to the Flyers for most of his tenure, but age, contract cost, the ascension of Gostisbehere onto the top power play unit and the expiration of his contract after 2016-17 mean that the upcoming season could be his last as a Flyer. Ditto Nick Schultz in his defensive defenseman role. Brandon Manning is a player who is annually in a battle for a roster spot for the 6th or 7th defenseman role and, presently, could be an Expansion Draft exposure candidate.
With Del Zotto, a lot of it will come down to contract cost and term, his performance in a contract-drive season, and the progression of prospects in the system. If all things are equal, the Flyers would probably like to extend his deal.
It's not a slam-dunk that there's going to be a cap hit/ term fit in Philly that will be better than something Del Zotto could get on the open market a year from now. Given the way teams tend to get UFA extensions done early, Del Zotto could wind up as one of the top UFAs on the open market if he waits it out. However, the expiration of other deals, such as Streit's, could give the Flyers some wiggle room to get something done.
2) Today is Flyers forward Jakub Voracek's 27th birthday. Additionally, former Flyers goaltender Martin Biron turns 39 and the NHL's final helmetless player, former Flyers center Craig MacTavish turns 58. The late Jim Cunningham, who passed away on April 29, 2011 after being struck by a train near him home in Minnesota, would have turned 60 today.
3) Flyers Trivia: Who was the first Flyers player to draw a fine or suspension from the National Hockey League? The answer is at the end.
4) Flyers Alumni: 2016 Faceoff Against Cancer:
The annual Faceoff Against Cancer fundraiser featuring the Flyers Alumni to directly benefit selected Delaware Valley cancer patients and their families will be held on September 9-10, 2016 at
Hatfield Ice (350 County Line Road, Colmar, PA 18915). In addition to the new location the event has a new two-day format.
On September 9, there will be an all-day men's hockey tournament. The next day, the main event will be held from noon to 4 p.m., featuring food, on-ice and carnival games, live music, beer and prizes. At 4 p.m. on Sept. 10, the Flyers Alumni Team game will start.
Last year's event raised approximately $88,000 that was divided among its selected beneficiaries. All recipients are local cancer patients who have unpaid medical bills related to cancer treatments and a connection to the local hockey community. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, and the proceeds will be donated directly to pay for their medical expenses.
For more information on tickets, donation, schedules, sponsorship and the list of prizes available this year, visit
FaceoffAgainstCancer.net.
5) Trivia Answer: Flyers forward Forbes Kennedy was fined $100 by the NHL for a two-handed slash and fight provocation with LA Kings defenseman Dave Amadio in the third period of a Flyers 7-1 road loss to the LA Kings on February 16, 1968.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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