Auston Matthews’ agent blasts ‘laughable’ Radko Gudas suspension length

Matthews sustained a grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion in his left leg, and that has ended his season. Matthews tried to avoid the hit, but Gudas appeared to go after him in an intentional manner. The Anaheim defenseman was assessed a major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct at the 15:47 mark of the second period. Matthews was helped off the ice by a trainer and teammate Brandon Carlo.

While Matthews was on the ice in pain, none of the Leafs players went after Gudas. Those players included William Nylander, Easton Cowan, Morgan Rielly and Carlo. The fact that none of the Leafs players attempted any retribution angered Toronto head coach Craig Berube.

He was asked if he had any explanation for his team’s lack of action.  “No. Obviously, we should have four guys in there doing something about it, but it didn’t happen,” Berube said.

Gudas was suspended for five games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. That penalty angered Matthews’ agent Judd Moldaver, who believes the NHL fell down in assessing what he believes is a minimum penalty.

“A phone hearing and five games is just laughable and preposterous,” Moldaver posted on X. “While the hearing process is pre-fixed in our Collective Bargaining Agreement, that there was no further discipline is a reckless and ridiculous position for player safety.”