Trending Now - NHL Player Safety Defends 5-game Suspension of Radko Gudas
WHO:
George Parros, head of the NHL Department of Player Safety
Radko Gudas, Anaheim Ducks defenseman
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs center
Craig Berube, coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Judd Moldaver, agent for Auston Matthews
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers center
WHAT:
Radko Gudas was suspended for five games for kneeing Auston Matthews.
The incident occurred during a game where the Maple Leafs won 6-4.
Auston Matthews sustained a grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in his left leg.
Matthews will miss the rest of the 2026 season.
Gudas received a phone hearing, which limited his suspension to a maximum of five games.
WHERE:
The incident occurred at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada.
The NHL General Managers' meetings took place in Manalapan, Florida.
WHEN:
The kneeing incident occurred on March 12th, 2026.
The NHL General Managers' meetings were held on March 17th, 2026.
WHY:
The suspension was based on the evaluation of the play and the injury sustained by Matthews.
Parros stated, “We came to it for good reason,” regarding the decision to suspend Gudas.
HOW:
The Department of Player Safety evaluates plays based on the incident and the players' histories.
A phone hearing was conducted for Gudas, which limited the suspension to five games per the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Parros mentioned that the department has a consistent process in place for evaluating incidents.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:17 UTC)
Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks has been suspended for five games after kneeing Auston Matthews during a game on March 12, where the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 6-4. Matthews suffered a grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in his left leg, which will keep him out for the rest of the 2026 season. The suspension was announced following a phone hearing conducted by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, which evaluated the incident and Matthews' injury, with head of the department, George Parros, stating that the decision was made for good reason.