Maple Leafs' Coach Questions Radko Gudas Suspension After Auston Matthews News

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs' Coach Questions Radko Gudas Suspension After Auston Matthews News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 14, 2026 1:27 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed on Friday that team captain Auston Matthews will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season with a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion.

The injury stemmed from a knee-on-knee hit delivered by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas on Thursday night.

The incident occurred with just over four minutes remaining in the second period of Toronto’s 6-4 win, the first in the last nine games played by the Leafs.

Gudas extended his leg while attempting to deliver a hit and made direct contact with Matthews’ left knee. Matthews remained down before leaving the ice without putting weight on his leg. The Ducks captain was also assessed a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct during the game, prompting his ejection.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) looks at injured Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) after delivering a knee-on-knee hit.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Gudas ultimately received a five-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety following a phone hearing, the maximum allowed for players who have a not-in-person meeting with the league to review their behavior.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had already labeled the hit a “dirty play” during his postgame press conference, and after learning about the season-ending nature of the injury and the length of the suspension, he made clear on Saturday morning that he felt the punishment fell short.

Craig Berube on Radko Gudas getting five games for the knee on Auston Matthews:

"Looking at it, we lose our guy, our captain for the year, I don’t know, it doesn’t seem like enough for me … guy doing it is a repeat offender, it just doesn’t seem like enough"@TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 14, 2026

“Looking at it, we lose our guy, our captain for the year, I don’t know, it doesn’t seem like enough for me … guy doing it is a repeat offender, it just doesn’t seem like enough,” Berube said, per TSN’s Mark Masters.

The suspension marks the fifth of Gudas’ 14-year NHL career. Matthews, meanwhile, has now completed his 10th season as a pro, finishing the campaign with 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games.

Toronto returns to action on Saturday when they visit the Buffalo Sabres at 7:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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