Radko Gudas suspended for five games for his actions toward Auston Matthews

Radko Gudas's actions didn't go over well. After all, this isn't the first time he's done something like this.
What's more, he ended the season for one of the league's best players.
Today, he had a telephone hearing with the NHL. That means the maximum suspension is five games. And that's exactly what he received.

Anaheim's Radko Gudas has been suspended for five games for kneeing Toronto's Auston Matthews. https://t.co/jBq3cksIMt
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 14, 2026
Okay, he received the maximum suspension, but he should have been summoned in person in the first place… Matthews' agent is furious, by the way…

Asked Auston Matthews' agent, Judd Moldaver, about his response to the ruling. Here is his reply: “In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am disappointed and shocked that the league would allow such a ruling. A phone hearing and a 5-game suspension are laughable and preposterous.
While… — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 14, 2026

According to Judd Moldaver, the decision to give him only five games is ridiculous, and it's the Department of Player Safety that should be suspended. Trust in the Department was already low, and now it's even lower…
In short, Moldaver spoke his mind. While Matthews will miss the rest of the 2025-2026 season, Gudas gets off with a five-game suspension. The Ducks' captain will, however, be in uniform for Anaheim on March 30 against… the Maple Leafs.
The NHL Department is struggling to do its job; so I expect the defenseman to be targeted in that game. Remember that Gudas, who won't face the Habs on Sunday, is the one who injured Sidney Crosby in the Olympic quarterfinals when the Czech Republic faced Canada. The guys from the Tellement hockey podcast talked about it in their latest episode: he's a vicious player and a jerk. A five-game suspension isn't enough.

In a nutshell – Must-see.

Now that's rare! https://t.co/hWZ70vXCDz
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) March 14, 2026
– Oh, really?

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— 98.5 Sports (@985Sports) March 14, 2026
— That's crazy.

Something not being talked about enough. It's increasingly likely that the Utah Mammoth will finish fourth in the division and face a **Pacific Division winner** who finished BEHIND them in the standings. On the road. Fix this ridiculous format. pic.twitter.com/nTb1O5q28n — Travis Yost (@travisyost) March 13, 2026 – Read more.

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— La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) March 14, 2026