Radko Gudas has been rehabbing his right knee since January, working diligently, as many hours as he can daily, to get back on the ice.
Thursday’s morning skate — the last such skate of the season for the Flyers — saw the 24-year-old defenseman on ice with his new teammates for the first time since he was acquired at the March trade deadline as part of the Braydon Coburn deal.
“It was good for him to get out there with teammates,” coach Craig Berube sad. “It’s been tough for him with the injury.”
Gudas was injured last Dec. 29 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and had not skated in a team environment until Thursday. His rehab is slated for six months, so he’s barely at four months right now.
“It felt awesome,” Gudas said of his Flyers welcome. “Obviously, the goal was to skate as soon as I can and it was awesome to participate with the guys. It makes me feel more part of the team.”
He’s been following a rehab regimen from the Lightning which the Flyers more or less improvised upon once he arrived in Philadelphia last month.
“The biggest thing that I am grateful for the team doing for me, was I had a daughter [Leontyna, born] two weeks ago and they allowed me to be with my wife,” he said.
NHL
“I’m trying to get to know the team and get better every day. Just working to get better.”
Gudas is 6-feet, 204 pounds and looks like a 4-by-4 on the ice. He’s not a fluid skater but he’s a right-hand shot and tough to get around.
“He’s strong as a bull and he hits,” said Jakub Voracek, his Czech teammate of several international events, including the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Gudas said while his rehab seems slow, he’s getting “better” and expects to be fully healthy to compete for a job in training camp.
“Getting on the ice was huge, the biggest step for me,” he said. “But I felt terrible. Not even close to what I expect of myself. I got to work on the knee, work on the cardio, everything.”
Projecting ahead, the Flyers have far too many defensemen under contract next season with Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Nicklas Grossmann, Nick Schultz and Luke Schenn.
They also intend to re-sign restricted free agent Michael Del Zotto and Group 6 UFA Brandon Manning. Carlo Colaiacovo is a free agent come July 1, as well.
And we haven’t even mentioned prospects Shayne Gostisbehere, Sam Morin and Travis Sanheim.
That’s a lot of competition for Gudas to handle.
“It’s a great problem to have as a team,” Gudas said of the defensive logjam. “Having guys that can play and stepping in and able to contribute. For me, I just got to give the best I can and see where the coach wants to play me.
“I try to be as physical as I can and make the other team not want to be on the ice with me. If I can get back to that, that’s my goal for sure.”
Loose pucks
Just as Brayden Schenn took a shot off the inside of his right knee Tuesday during the morning skate prior to the Islanders game, fellow forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare took a shot off his right ankle at today’s skate. He said he was “fine” though limping badly. Bellemare smashed his stick in anger on ice, admitting he neglected to wear his skate guards. … Ray Emery will start against Carolina. It could be his final game as a Flyer.