Auston Matthews’ Agent Sounds Off on NHL's Radko Gudas Decision

Story by

Antonio Losada

Sat, Mar 14, 2026 ·

2 min read

The Toronto Maple Leafs hit a new low on Friday as the franchise announced that team captain Auston Matthews will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season with an injury.

The 28-year-old suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion following a knee-on-knee hit against the Anaheim Ducks .

The incident occurred at 15:47 of the second period on Thursday as Matthews moved through the slot. Gudas extended his leg and made direct contact with Matthews’ left knee. Matthews remained down before leaving the ice with assistance.

On Friday, nearly 24 hours after his hit on Matthews, the NHL Player Safety department announced that Radko Gudas had received a five-game suspension for the incident.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) during warm-ups.Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
(Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images)

Under the collective bargaining agreement, five games represented the maximum discipline allowed without an in-person hearing. The NHLPS only had a phone call with Gudas.

Gudas will be eligible to return to Anaheim’s lineup on March 24. Matthews, meanwhile, has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.

Following the ruling, Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, criticized the decision and didn't hold back, calling the NHL's ruling 'laughable' and 'preposterous.'

“In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am very disappointed and shocked that the league would allow for such a ruling,” Moldaver said. “A phone hearing and 5 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.”

Moldaver said the punishment undermines his confidence in the league’s system to prevent players from suffering injuries such as Matthews'.

“This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players. Players and fans deserve better,” Moldaver said. “The Player Safety department should be suspended.”

The suspension marks the fifth of Gudas’ 14-year NHL career. The Ducks' captain previously received a 10-game ban in 2017 and a six-game suspension in 2016. In total, Gudas has been suspended for 26 games throughout his career.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.