NEW YORK – Anaheim defenceman Radko Gudas was given a five-game suspension by the NHL on Friday for kneeing and injuring Toronto’s Auston Matthews.
Gudas had a hearing with the league’s department of player safety for his hit that injured the Maple Leafs captain in a game on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
-
![]()
Big changes are coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs -
![]()
Toronto Maple Leafs win the NHL draft lottery -
![]()
Toronto Maple Leafs franchise legend Mats Sundin returns as senior advisor to new GM John Chayka -
![]()
MLSE defends new management hires during Toronto Maple Leafs press conference -
![]()
Blue Jays buzz lifts Toronto economy amid Leafs disappointment -
![]()
Toronto Maple Leafs hold state of the union amid middle of winless skid -
![]()
Nazem Kadri reflects on surpassing 1,000 game milestone -
![]()
Toronto sports fans prepare for double-header of Leafs, Blue Jays game tonight -
![]()
MLSE President and CEO Pelley not ‘deciding who we draft and what free agents we sign’ -
![]()
Brendan Shanahan out as Toronto Maple Leafs president
The five-game ban was the maximum that could be levied because his hearing was by phone.
Get breaking National news
The knee-on-knee hit occurred at 15:47 of the second period of the Ducks’ 6-4 loss. Gudas received a major penalty and game misconduct on the play, which resulted in Matthews exiting the game with a left leg injury.
The Maple Leafs confirmed Friday that Matthews would miss the rest of the season with a Grade 3 tear of his medial collateral ligament. He also suffered a bruised quadriceps muscle.
Gudas will forfeit US$104,166.65 in salary. The money goes to the players’ emergency assistance fund.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2026.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.