Radko Gudas Suspended Five Games for Kneeing Auston Matthews, Season Ends for Maple Leafs Star

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas has been suspended for five games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for a knee-on-knee hit against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews during a game on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The incident has also resulted in Matthews being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion.

Details of the Incident and Suspension

The incident occurred at 15:43 of the second period in NHL Game No. 1029 in Toronto. Gudas was assessed a major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct. According to the NHL, Gudas led with his left knee, colliding with Matthews’ left knee as the Maple Leafs forward attempted to stickhandle. The league determined that the contact was not created by sudden or evasive movements from either player, and that Gudas was responsible for delivering a legal hit.

Gudas had a phone hearing with the Department of Player Safety, and the suspension will result in a forfeit of $104,166.65, which will be donated to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Reaction to the Suspension

Judd Moldaver, Matthews’ agent and executive VP with The Team, strongly criticized the NHL’s decision, calling the five-game suspension “laughable and preposterous.” He argued that Gudas should have been given an in-person hearing to potentially face a longer suspension, given the severity of the injury. “This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players,” Moldaver stated.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube described the hit as “dirty,” while Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville maintained there was “no premeditation” and that the collision was a result of “reflexes.”

Matthews’ Injury and Gudas’ History

Matthews will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Prior to the injury, he had scored 27 goals on the season.

This is not Gudas’ first suspension. He has been suspended four previous times in his 14-year NHL career, totaling 21 games. His longest suspension was a 10-game ban in 2017 while playing for the Philadelphia Flyers for a slash to the head of Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. His most recent prior suspension was a two-game ban in 2019 for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov.

Gudas’ Options

Gudas has the option to appeal the five-game ban. He is eligible to return to the Anaheim Ducks lineup on March 24 in Vancouver.

Gudas, the captain of the Ducks, has two goals and 11 assists in 52 games this season, averaging 16:39 of ice time.