Auston Matthews’ agent blasts NHL for Radko Gudas suspension: ‘Laughable and preposterous’
TORONTO — The high-profile agent who represents Auston Matthews blasted the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for not levying a punishment against Radko Gudas he felt was worthy of the reckless hit that ended his client’s season, calling the five-game suspension given to the Anaheim Ducks’ captain “laughable and preposterous.”
Gudas was handed a five-game ban Friday night — roughly 24 hours after he raced out of the corner, extended his left leg and drove through Matthews’ left knee. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion on the play, according to the team, and has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Gudas is eligible to return to Anaheim’s lineup March 24 in Vancouver.
Asked for a comment on the NHL’s ruling, agent Judd Moldaver told The Athletic Gudas should have been extended an in-person hearing so the Department of Player Safety could have given him a suspension longer than five games.
“In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am very disappointed and shocked that the league would allow for such a ruling,” said Moldaver, an executive vice president with THE·TEAM whose high-profile client list also includes Connor McDavid and Zach Werenski.
“A phone hearing and five games is just laughable and preposterous. While the hearing process is pre-fixed in our CBA, that there was no further discipline is a reckless and ridiculous position for Player Safety.
“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.”
The suspension was the fifth levied against Gudas during his 14-year NHL career, but only the third longest.
He received a 10-game ban in November 2017 for slashing Winnipeg’s Mathieu Perreault in the neck and served a six-game suspension in October 2016 after catching Boston’s Austin Czarnik with a high, hard hit.
Gudas has now been suspended for a total of 26 games and forfeited more than $850,000 in salary during his NHL career.
