While the league did dish out supplemental discipline to Radko Gudas for the hit on Auston Matthews that ended his season, representatives for the Toronto Maple Leafs captain thought the five-game suspension did not go far enough.
"In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am disappointed and shocked that the league would allow such a ruling. A phone hearing and five games is laughable and preposterous," Matthews' agent Judd Moldaver said in a statement acquired by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Friday.
Gudas was assessed a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct on Thursday night for kneeing Matthews. The Maple Leafs later announced that the 28-year-old sustained a Grade 3 MCL tear and will miss the remainder of the season.
"While the process is set in our CBA, that this was the discipline is reckless and ridiculous," Moldaver continued. "The decision results in further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players. Players and fans deserve better.
"The Player Safety Department should be suspended.”
This is Gudas' fifth suspension in the NHL and his first since 2019, for a total of 26 games. Given his hearing was over the phone and not in-person, the maximum suspension Gudas could have received is five games.
The Anaheim Ducks captain was responsible for the injury to Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby at the Winter Olympics in Milan.
