Craig Berube takes the fight to the media after Leafs fail defend Auston Matthews on the Ice
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Craig Berube was furious at his team's response after Radko Gudas' knee-on-knee hit to Auston Matthews and called for swift punishment from the NHL Player Safety Department.
During Thursday's game between Anaheim and Toronto was centred in controversy after Ducks captain Radko Gudas laid a punishing knee on knee hit to Auston Matthews - leading to him leaving the game and Leafs fans holding their breath.
It would be the cherry on top of a very disappointing season to lose Matthews for any period of time, and while Easton Cowan did his best to stick up for his captain, the rest of the team was pretty silent despite the fact it was Matthews who was hurt.
Berube called it 'dirty' and publicly demanded a suspension
That irked Craig Berube something fierce, and the whole situation got him frustrated, as he was upset at both his team's lack of a response, and Gudas' 'dirty' antics:
It was obviously dirty. We'll look at it and see whatever happens, if it's a suspension or not. I mean obviously we should have had four guys in there doing something but they didn't. They responded in the third, but I would have liked them to do something in the second about it.
The fact that the rest of the team didn't find a dance partner to scrap with immediately after is going to irk more than Berube as Leafs fans are furious at the consistent lack of toughness from a team that was prided itself on 'passion'.
A post-game presser shouldn't be where Toronto sticks up for their captain
Where's that passion during the game? Why did the team need to take a look at things and make sure things are alright before responding?
Back in 2021, Corey Perry (accidentally or not) clipped John Tavares' head with his leg and hurt him pretty badly. Nick Foligno of the Maple Leafs didn't care if it was accidental or not - he fought Perry immediately.
Morgan Rielly, who has been Matthews' teammate for a decade was apologetic in the post-game comments and explained that he should have taken more responsibility:
I didn't see how bad it was, and the puck was going up ice. But that's on me for not responding earlier with Gudas there. I take full responsibility that's my fault.
Kudos to Rielly for taking some accountability but it shouldn't take until the post-game for Matthews' teammates to stick up for him.
The fact Berube had no real reason to defend them either shows that in this modern game, it's not up to the coach to send out their brooding enforcers; that's a dead art and instead it's up to the other four on the ice to do whatever it takes to even the odds.
Gudas injured both Crosby and Matthews; NHL needs to send a strong message in response
But it's also going to be a huge black mark on the NHL and Player Safety if Gudas isn't punished heavily, as this would be the second superstar he injured in less than a month.
Gudas was responsible for injuring Sidney Crosby during the 2026 Olympics and potentially put his season and career at risk, although the Penguins expect to have their captain back at some point again.
But when is enough, enough? Gudas has been suspended four times (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019). This is teetering on less of a tough guy hockey player, and just a bully who happens to skate.
There's no facet to his game besides punishment and it's clear he has no regard for the safety of others as long as he wins. If George Parros, the head of NHL Player Safety doesn't bring the wrath of God down on him; then expect a huge backlash from fans and the rest of the league.
At that point, the rules are thrown out the window. If a player like Gudas isn't properly punished for injuring two of your top superstars, the precedent is out there for anyone to have carte blanche on the ice.
How many more players need to be put on the shelf before something actually consequential happens?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Auston Matthews scores first goal in 12 games, but exits after Radko Gudas knee-on-knee hit
Auston Matthews scores first goal in 12 games, but exits after Radko Gudas knee-on-knee hit
| POLL | ||
MARS 13|1147 ANSWERS Craig Berube takes the fight to the media after Leafs fail defend Auston Matthews on the Ice How long should Radko Gudas be suspended for? | ||
| 5 Games | 92 | 8 % |
| 10 Games | 354 | 30.9 % |
| Rest of Season | 689 | 60.1 % |
| No Suspension | 12 | 1 % |
| List of polls | ||