Gudbranson, 29 (1/7/92), has appeared in 36 games for the Senators this season, posting three points (1g-2a) and 47 penalty minutes while serving as an alternate captain. Measuring in at 6-foot-5, 217 pounds, he led all Senators defensemen in hits with 92 and was third on his team in blocked shots with 51 this season, his first with the Ottawa organization. He tallied the game-winning goal for the Senators on Feb. 25 vs. Calgary, has dished out at least four hits in nine different contests this season and is averaging 18:04 of ice time, the fourth-most among Ottawa defensemen.
Originally drafted by the Florida Panthers in the first round (third overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Gudbranson is skating in his 10th NHL season and ranks 12th among League defensemen in hits (1,311) since 2011-12, his first full campaign. Nashville will be the sixth team Gudbranson has suited up for in his 554-game NHL career, the bulk of which came with Florida (309) during his first five seasons; he's also skated for Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Anaheim and Ottawa, compiling 76 points (21g-55a) and 628 penalty minutes. Gudbranson has averaged 18:12 of ice time during his 10-year career and has seen significant time on the penalty kill, logging 2:03 of shorthanded time per game. The blueliner has eclipsed the 100-hit mark on six separate occasions and recorded a career-high 13 points (4g-9a) as a member of the Panthers in 2014-15. He owns 17 games of Stanley Cup Playoff experience with Florida and Pittsburgh, logging 20:22 of ice time per game and 12 penalty minutes.
Prior to turning pro, Gudbranson played three seasons for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs, where he tallied 79 points (17g-62a) in 148 games. Internationally, the Ottawa, Ont., native has represented Canada in several tournaments, earning a silver medal at the 2011 World Junior Championship, competing in the 2014 World Championship and skating twice at the World U-18 Championship (2009 and 2010).
