Radko Gudas received a five-game suspension for a hit on Auston Matthews that ended Matthews’ season. Now, Connor McDavid is calling on the NHL to change how the Department of Player Safety operates.
Auston Matthews’ 2025–2026 season came to a heartbreaking end. On Thursday, he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in his left leg after a nasty hit from Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas.
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Auston Matthews injury
Matthews finished the season with 53 points in 60 games — the only time he has been below a point-per-game average since his debut season in 2016–2017. That was also the last time he played a full 82-game season.
Following the Edmonton Oilers’ 3–1 win against the Nashville Predators on Sunday, Oilers captain Connor McDavid commented on the injury to fellow superstar Auston Matthews.
Connor McDavid calls out NHL
He also criticized the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for how it handles situations like the Gudas hit on Matthews.
“I think Player Safety has done their best. It’s not an easy thing to do. With that being said, I think there’s reason to take a look at how the whole process works. Every time there’s a suspension, everybody complains about it. Why don’t we take a look at the process and figure out if there’s a better way to make sure that both parties are happy? Because it seems like there’s a lot of frustration there,” McDavid told reporters.
Fans praise McDavid
Fans online are now praising McDavid, with many saying Gudas should have received a harsher punishment.
“This is my favorite McDavid moment ever. He knows the weight of his own influence and has saved it for a time to speak out when he has no personal involvement or bias,” one fan wrote on X.
“The NHL DOPS needs a complete overhaul from top to bottom,” another wrote.
“Exactly. Bang on, Connor. It needs to be reviewed. There has to be justice. Gudas should be out until Auston plays his next game,” a third fan chimed in.
You can watch the interview below.
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