George Perros Defends NHL’s Decision to Impose Five-game Suspension on Radko Gudas Following Auston Matthews’ Season-Ending Injury

Former American hockey professional and head of the NHL's Department of Player Safety, George Perros has defended the department’s decision to imposing five-game suspension on Radko Gudas amidst the Auston Matthews controversy. Perros shared his opinion on the department’s decision at a time when everyone at the Leafs and other team members are criticizing the NHL’s judgment on Gudas for the brutal hit.

Radko Gudas’ knee-on-knee hit ended the Toronto Maple Leafs captain’s season and resulted in only a five-game suspension. Reports suggest Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion on the knee-on-knee play with Gudas, an injury severe enough to rule him out for the rest of the 2025-26 regular season.

Earlier, Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube shared his strong dissatisfaction with the NHL's five-game suspension handed to Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Even Oilers captain Connor McDavid has also raised his voice on the NHL’s decision to just impose a five-game suspension on Gudas.

NHL’s George Perros shares his opinion on Radko Gudas suspension amid Auston Matthews injury controversy

The NHL’s head of Player Safety, George Parros, has shared his opinion amidst the growing controversy regarding the league’s decision to suspend Radko Gudas for just five games following his knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews. Parros defended the ruling amid widespread criticism from players, coaches, and fans.

The controversy actually arose from the perception that the punishment does not match the severity of the outcome, with Matthews sustaining a Grade 3 MCL tear after the hit. Speaking at the NHL General Managers’ meetings, Parros said he is confident that the punishment is rightly aligned with the nature of the misconduct.


He stated, “When we evaluate these plays, we look at the play and not the players. If we determine that the play was worthy of supplemental discipline, we then look at the history of the players involved and if there is an injury or not.” Parros further said, “This is how we come to make all of our decisions. We did this and made this decision under those circumstances, felt that this was the appropriate response, and so I stand by it.”

Adding about the debate regarding the decision presented in a phone hearing. The NHL Player Safety head stated, “It wasn’t like I decided to have a phone hearing, found out there was an injury, and then wished I had an in-person instead.”

Parros, in his response, emphasized that the Department of Player Safety evaluates incidents based on factors such as intent, history, and the nature of the hit, rather than solely the injury outcome. However, it cannot be expected that his explanation will do much to douse the fire of controversy, given the fact that Gudas’ name has emerged as a repeat offender and the long-term impact on Matthews’ health and career, as well as the Maple Leafs’ season without their captain.


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