Radko Gudas, a defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks, has been suspended for five games due to a knee-on-knee hit that resulted in an injury to Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
The incident occurred during a game on Thursday night, resulting in Matthews being sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the suspension following a phone hearing with Gudas. The nature of the hearing limited the suspension to a maximum of five games, as it was conducted via conference call rather than in person.
Details of the Incident
This marks Gudas’ fifth suspension in his 14-season NHL career and his first since 2019. As a result of the suspension, Gudas forfeits $104,167 in salary and will miss upcoming games against Ottawa, Montreal, Philadelphia, Utah, and Buffalo.
Gudas, who is 35 years old, is eligible to return to the lineup on March 24 against Vancouver. Currently, the Ducks are leading the Pacific Division and are striving to break a seven-year playoff drought that dates back to 2018.
Injury Report on Auston Matthews
Before the announcement of Gudas’ suspension, the Maple Leafs reported that Matthews sustained a torn medial collateral ligament and a bruised quadriceps muscle. The injuries were sustained during the game when Gudas’ left knee collided with Matthews’ left knee, causing the 28-year-old player to fall to the ice in pain.
Matthews required assistance from a teammate and an athletic trainer to exit the rink and did not return to the game.
Reactions from Coaches and Players
Following the incident, Toronto coach Craig Berube labeled the hit as a dirty play, while forward Matthew Knies noted that Gudas has a history of similar actions. In contrast, Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville defended Gudas, asserting that the hit was unintentional and a reflexive reaction.
Gudas’ Suspension History
Throughout his career, Gudas has faced multiple suspensions, totaling 26 games and resulting in $855,527 in lost salary. Despite not being classified as a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement, his record includes four suspensions between 2015 and 2019 for various infractions, including illegal checks and slashing.
Auston Matthews’ Season Performance
Matthews recently led the U.S. men’s hockey team to its first Olympic gold medal since 1980. In his tenth NHL season, he is the Maple Leafs’ leading scorer with 27 goals.