Radko Gudas hearing puts NHL Player Safety back in the spotlight after Auston Matthews injury
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Sam Walker
Mar 13, 2026 (9:54)
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Radko Gudas is heading to a hearing for kneeing Auston Matthews, and Toronto Maple Leafs fans feel that familiar stomach drop again.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety confirmed Friday that Gudas will have a hearing today for the kneeing incident.
The hearing will be over the phone, meaning it can only be a maximum of a five-game suspension.
This is a gut punch for the Leafs and the leagues stars who need to be protected.
That wording matters, because a hearing usually means the league is considering real discipline, not just a quick fine.
The play itself was ugly in real time, and it looked worse on replay with Matthews' left knee taking the brunt.
Matthews is sitting at 26-26-52 in 58 games this season, so this is not a «next man up» situation for Toronto.
Gudas, Anaheim's captain, has 2-10-12 in 50 games, but his value has always been edge and intimidation, especially on the blue line.
That's why this hearing lands with extra weight, because it's the line between «hard to play against» and «too far.»
Auston Matthews leaves Toronto Maple Leafs holding their breath
Leafs fans are not debating the rulebook right now; they're just tired of watching star seasons get hijacked by one reckless moment.
Player Safety's process is built around constant video review, rapid clipping, and then deciding if a play crosses into supplemental discipline.
The «tangle» is that the league wants consistency, but every kneeing clip has its own speed, posture, and intent arguments.
For Toronto, the biggest question is simple: how does the lineup look if Matthews misses time, and who gets shoved into tougher matchups down the middle?
The next game becomes a systems test, because you can't replace Matthews' shot volume on the man advantage with vibes.
For Anaheim, the hearing risks a short-term hole on the blue line and a longer-term reputation tax that follows every borderline hit.
Either way, player safety has put itself front and center, and now everyone waits for the ruling to say what kind of league this wants to be.
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