Radko Gudas got a special welcome back in Anaheim on Sunday, this time wearing a Panthers sweater.
The Ducks made a point of marking the moment for their former defenceman before the game.
Then things got serious. Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime to improve to 2-0-0, while Florida dropped its second overtime decision in three games.
Gudas logged 15:47 and finished a +1. He hasn't shown up on the scoresheet yet, but points were never what his game is about.
He's 36 now, on a $1,500,000 cap hit. For a Florida team suddenly thin on the back end, that's a bargain.
In the clip, Anaheim honours the return of a familiar face, and the moment lands with a former Duck now standing on the other side.
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Paul Maurice leans on Radko Gudas as the Panthers blue line thins out
His arrival in Florida couldn't have been better timed. Gustav Forsling is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and Aaron Ekblad stepped away for a personal family matter.
Aleksander Barkov is on injured reserve until at least Oct. 27 as well. Paul Maurice needs every veteran body he can get.
Florida adding Gudas looks smarter by the day. A cheap, steady veteran is exactly what a contender needs when injuries pile up in October.
It's like visiting your old high school and finding your photo still hanging on the wall.
The Ducks host Edmonton on Wednesday. Florida visits Los Angeles on Tuesday, still searching for its first regulation win.
Anaheim showed Gudas some love on Sunday, then beat his new team anyway. That's hockey, and he'd likely be the first to say so.
Was signing Radko Gudas a smart move by the Panthers?
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