"I feel confident in this decision. When we evaluate these plays, we look at the play, not the players... we did this and made this decision under those circumstances, felt that this was the appropriate response... and I stand by it."
"There was a general understanding there was an injury on this play that seemed very obvious. The league opted for a phone hearing, which carries a maximum suspension of five games, rather than an in-person hearing that allows for a longer ban."
"Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear in the March 12 game and will miss the rest of the season. Although not considered a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement which only factors in discipline over the previous two years, Gudas has a lengthy disciplinary record."
George Parros, the NHL's head of player safety, defended the league's decision to suspend Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas five games for a knee-on-knee hit that injured Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews with a Grade 3 MCL tear, ending his season. Parros stated the league followed standard procedures and evaluated the play rather than the player's history. The NHL chose a phone hearing, which carries a maximum five-game suspension, over an in-person hearing allowing longer bans. Despite Gudas's four previous suspensions totaling 21 games and over $750,000 in forfeited salary, the ruling has faced criticism from Matthews's agent, Connor McDavid, and Toronto's coaching staff.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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