NHL head of player safety George Parros has defended the league's decision to suspend Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas for five games following a knee-on-knee hit that resulted in a season-ending injury to Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. The incident occurred during a game on March 12, leading to Matthews suffering a Grade 3 MCL tear.
At the NHL's annual general manager meetings, Parros reiterated that the league’s disciplinary process was followed consistently, despite Gudas’s history of past suspensions, which includes four infractions between 2015 and 2019. Parros stated, "When we evaluate these plays, we look at the play, not the players," emphasizing the rationale behind the decision.
The choice to conduct a phone hearing, which limits the maximum suspension to five games, has faced scrutiny. Matthews' agent expressed disappointment with the ruling, while Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid also raised concerns regarding the evaluation process. Toronto's head coach, Craig Berube, described Gudas's hit as "dirty," and teammate Matthew Knies noted Gudas’s history of similar incidents.
While Gudas is not classified as a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement, his previous disciplinary record has led to discussions about the adequacy of the league's response. Parros acknowledged the injury severity in the decision-making process but maintained confidence in the NHL's procedures and expressed openness to potential improvements in the future.