What is wrong with Gudas?

[bluck]

He?s averaging just over 1 hit a game with 5 hits in 4 games and only 6 pims. What?s the deal? He?s boardline droppable or worth benching at the moment

[hockeymanG23]

I’m thinking he was asked to pick his spots a bit safer and is being overly cautious at the moment. A tiger doesn’t change its stripes though so I expect Gudas to get more physical before long.

Could partly be some road team bias as well since I watched a few games thinking he should’ve been credited with two or three hits yet only had one credited so once they get home his totals might go up too.

[lucafen4]

Matt Martin didn't have a PIM until last nights fight. Patience. This guy will get his licks in. hell, the season's only 8 days old. I wouldn't be dumping and top players for slow starts - Gudas is a top peripheral player

[Doug Glatt]

I think there is reason to be concerned. There has been a serious infusion of young talent in the the PHI blueline this past year. I wonder how he can keep his role in the top 4. His minutes are way down thus far, 3rd pair, 15:20 or less in 3 of 4 games. If that usage continues you are looking at a worthless fantasy player.

[Flyers0702]

I think there is reason to be concerned. There has been a serious infusion of young talent in the the PHI blueline this past year. I wonder how he can keep his role in the top 4. His minutes are way down thus far, 3rd pair, 15:20 or less in 3 of 4 games. If that usage continues you are looking at a worthless fantasy player.

I wouldn't jump the gun too much just yet. As a Flyers fan and ardent tracker of the team I can say that Gudas will get his lionshare this season, despite the infusion of talent on the blue line. Only Provorov has the full and unhindered confidence of the coach and GM to take the heavy minutes, beyond him it'll be between Gudas and Hagg who gets more time on the ice. Ghost will have his moments for sure so he'll be next in depth, but beyond that your looking at guys like Andrew MacDonald and Brandon Manning...

Finally you have the youngest of them in the rookie Sanheim, who will get TOI here and there but won't be relied on as heavily of course. I'm preaching patience, Gudas will give you your hits and your TOI. Just sit tight.

[hockeymanG23]

OK, this lack of hits is really becoming odd.

[ericdaoust]

Just be patient. He didn't suddenly learn to be a tame and decent person.

[forumname]

Just be patient. He didn't suddenly learn to be a tame and decent person.

What explains it though? Injury? Coaching? You can't just brush everything off as random variance.

You can't decide to score, so it's understandable when guys have slumps, but for the most part hitting is a decision. There must be a reason he is getting 1 hit per game instead of his usual 4.

[Dan G]

A large part of it is reduced ice time. He's averaging about 3 minutes less than last year - from 19 to 16mins per night. Perhaps he's been told to play a less heavy game to avoid taking too many penalty minutes too. But still, it's quite a drop off as normally the lower minute guys come out hitting just as much regardless of TOI.

[domo604]

I'd be patient. Gudas also started the season with 4 road games where they may not be as generous in giving hits. Last night was a good start with 3 hits, so be patient

[ericdaoust]

Gudas has 10 hits over the past 3 games. It's not his peak level but definitely within a reasonable range.