Radko Gudas granted phone hearing: Why NHL rules limit suspension to 5 games for Matthews hit
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The NHL announced on Friday that Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas would receive a phone hearing for his knee-on-knee hit to Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, which caps his suspension potential at only five games.
During Thursday's contest between the Ducks and Maple Leafs, the second period was mired in controversy after Auston Matthews suffered a serious injury when Radko Gudas drove his knee into Matthews' which left the captain down on the ice for several minutes with Gudas ejected as well.
A phone hearing means a maximum of five games
With the NHL Player Safety Department, there are either phone hearings or in-person hearings. The former is deemed as something of a 'lesser' punishment because the maximum punishment is a five-game suspension.
Compare that to an in-person hearing, where a player would need to present a better case for their actions and could result in a much lengthier suspension - something Gudas knows all too well throughout his career.
It means that no matter what Gudas did to Matthews last night, he's only going to be gone a handful of games.
Gudas not punished for injuring Sidney Crosby during the Olympics
Gudas has a history of dirty play, and his actions during the 2026 Olympics shoe exactly that. While the hit on Crosby was legal, the fact Gudas did so to a falling player, then basically threw himself on top of him; where's the line being drawn?
This lack of discipline has continued on and now Toronto could be looking at losing their captain for the entire season. If things weren't already bad for the Maple Leafs, there's even more to worry about now regarding Matthews' future health thanks to this.
The NHL thinks that wrecking and injuring superstars is only worth a maximum of five games. If two stars and potentially hundreds of millions of dollars lost isn't the wakeup call they need - nothing will be.
Hockey Patrol will update you regarding the status of Gudas' suspension once the NHL announces it.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Craig Berube takes the fight to the media after Leafs fail defend Auston Matthews on the Ice
Craig Berube takes the fight to the media after Leafs fail defend Auston Matthews on the Ice
| POLL | ||
MARS 13|1247 ANSWERS Radko Gudas granted phone hearing: Why NHL rules limit suspension to 5 games for Matthews hit Should Radko Gudas have gotten an in=person hearing? | ||
| Yes | 1186 | 95.1 % |
| No | 61 | 4.9 % |
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