Fans Unhappy with Radko Gudas’ Length of Suspension After Season Ending Hit on Auston Matthews: “Parros Should Be Fired”

Radko Gudas was handed a 5-game suspension for his knee-to-knee hit on Auston Matthews, which caused a season-ending injury to the Toronto Maple Leafs star.

Fans Unhappy with Radko Gudas’ Length of Suspension After Season Ending Hit on Auston Matthews: “Parros Should Be Fired”

Radko Gudas and Auston Matthews (Image via Yardbarker)

Radko Gudas found himself under huge heat from fans on Thursday following his hit on Auston Matthews. The NHL Department of Player Safety (DoPS) would slap him with a 5-game suspension. The length of this suspension did not sit well with fans on social media.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in desperate need of a positive result when they hosted the Anaheim Ducks at the Scotiabank Arena. The Canadian side had not won a single game since the Winter Olympic break and were on an 8-game losing run.

Meanwhile, their captain, Auston Matthews had not found the net in 12 games. The American international would break this drought with a power play goal in the second period that cut the deficit to 3-2.

Moments after that goal, the 28-year-old would suffer a huge blow. Gudas, the Ducks captain, would deliver a knee-to-knee hit on him. Matthews would clutch his left knee and was slow to get up from the ice.

The defenseman was handed a 5-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, meaning he was ejected from the game. It was later revealed that he would have a telephone hearing.

As it was a virtual hearing, the maximum suspension he could receive was 5 games. The NHL Department of Player Safety would then give him a 5-game ban for this hit on Matthews.

As a result of this hit, Matthews suffered a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. The American international will now miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Matthews will finish the season with 53 points (27 goals and 26 assists) from 60 games this season. In February, he would captain Team USA and lead them to their first Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey since 1980 as they took down Canada 2-1 in overtime.

As for Gudas, he found himself on the end of backlash during the Winter Olympics as well for a hit on Sidney Crosby. During the quarterfinal clash between Czechia and Canada, Gudas would collide with the Canadian captain.

While Canada would go on to win in overtime, they were left with Crosby in the semi-finals and the gold medal game.

Fans slam NHL Department of Player Safety for just 5-game suspension of Radko Gudas

Following his hit on Auston Matthews, Radko Gudas found himself in trouble once again. The 35-year-old was handed a 5-game suspension by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Radko Gudas
Radko Gudas (Image via Sportsnet)

Fans on social media were unpleased with this. With Gudas being a repeated offender, they wanted a long-term suspension.

While reacting to this development on X, many users slammed the DoPS and its head, George Parros, for this ruling. One user wrote, “Parros should be fired“, while taking a swipe at him.

This is the 5th time Gudas has been suspended in the NHL. After his 5-game ban, he would have missed 26 games in his career and forfeit $855,000 in salary.

Auston Matthews’ agent goes off at NHL Department of Player Safety over Radko Gudas’ length of suspension

After Radko Gudas’ hit left Auston Matthews injured, the NHL Department of Player Safety would give him a 5-game ban. Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, was one of those who were disappointed with the length of the suspension. He would sound off on the department for this.

Auston Matthews and Radko Gudas
Auston Matthews and Radko Gudas (Image via Imago/NHL)

Like many, Moldaver expected a harsh penalty from the DoPS regarding Gudas. While speaking with NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the agent called out the department and expressed that they should be suspended themselves for such verdicts.

I am disappointed and shocked the league would allow such a ruling. A phone hearing and 5 games is laughable and preposterous. … Players and fans deserve better. The Player Safety Department should be suspended.

Judd Moldaver said regarding NHL DoPS ruling over Radko Gudas

The debate regarding this will go on for a while. Given Gudas’ history, the player could have been subjected to a longer suspension if an in-person hearing took place.

The Maple Leafs, who ended their 8-game losing run with a 6-4 over the Ducks, will now be without their captain for the rest of the season. Despite the win, they are at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings with 67 points from 66 games.

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