Radko Gudas’ suspension is in and it’s an insult to what Auston Matthews is dealing with

The Toronto Maple Leafs received devastating news earlier tonight: Auston Matthews’ season is officially over. The captain suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion on March 12 during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks. Matthews will be re-evaluated in roughly two weeks, but he will miss the remainder of the regular season, leaving a massive hole in Toronto’s lineup.

Meanwhile, Radko Gudas, the Ducks defenseman responsible for the hit, has now been suspended five games for kneeing Matthews. We all knew it was going to be maximum 5 games, seeing that the hearing was over the phone, but this is nowhere near enough to match the impact of Matthews’ injury.

"This contact cannot be excused as a play in which evasive or sudden movements by either player are the primary contact of knee-on-knee contact...Gudas leaned towards contact with Matthews in a way that results in a forceful and dangerous knee-on-knee collision."

This isn’t the first time Gudas has caused havoc. The veteran blueliner is also the player who ended Canadian captain Sidney Crosby’s Olympic run in the quarterfinals, yet disciplinary measures remain surprisingly light.

Two of the NHL’s premier stars, Matthews and Crosby, are sidelined for extended periods because of one player’s actions. This is Gudas' 5th suspension in the NHL and will bring his total missed games to 26.

For the Maple Leafs, it’s a nightmare scenario. For the league, it’s another glaring example of how star players’ safety can clash with inconsistent discipline.

Matthews' agent, Judd Moldaver, calls the five-game suspension given to Radko Gudas "laughable and preposterous" when asked for comment, per Chris Johnston:

“In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am disappointed and shocked the league would allow such a ruling. A phone hearing and 5 games is laughable and preposterous.

While the process is set in our CBA, that this was the discipline is reckless and ridiculous.

This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players.

Players and fans deserve better. The Player Safety Department should be suspended.”

Fans and pundits alike are left asking: when will the NHL take real action to prevent catastrophic hits from derailing careers and seasons?

The Maple Leafs will see the Gudas and the Ducks next on March 30 in Anaheim.