McDavid Calls for NHL to Review Player Safety Process After Gudas Suspension

Oilers captain questions league's discipline decisions following Auston Matthews' season-ending injury

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:33am

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Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has called for the NHL to review its player safety process after Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas received a five-game suspension for a knee-on-knee hit that resulted in a season-ending injury to Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. McDavid acknowledged the difficulty of the league's disciplinary decisions, but suggested the process may need to be re-evaluated to address the frustration it often creates among players, teams and fans.

Why it matters

The incident involving Matthews' injury has sparked debate around the NHL's player safety policies and the consistency of its disciplinary rulings. As a prominent player, McDavid's comments add further scrutiny to the league's approach and could prompt the NHL to consider potential changes to its suspension process.

The details

In the March 16 game between the Maple Leafs and Ducks, Gudas made knee-on-knee contact with Matthews as the Leafs captain received a pass late in the second period. The NHL Department of Player Safety subsequently suspended Gudas for five games, the maximum punishment allowed through a phone hearing. The decision has drawn strong criticism, especially in Toronto, where Matthews' 27-goal season has been derailed by the injury.

  • The incident occurred on March 16 during a game between the Maple Leafs and Ducks.
  • The NHL suspended Gudas for five games on March 16.
  • McDavid shared his comments on the situation on March 19.

The players

Connor McDavid

The captain of the Edmonton Oilers and one of the NHL's top players.

Radko Gudas

The captain of the Anaheim Ducks who received a five-game suspension for his hit on Auston Matthews.

Auston Matthews

The captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs who suffered a season-ending injury as a result of Gudas' hit.

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What they’re saying

“I think player safety has done their best. It's not an easy thing to do. With that being said, I think there is reason to take a look at how the whole process works.”

— Connor McDavid

“..If every time there is a suspension everybody complains about it well, 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.”

— Connor McDavid

What’s next

The NHL may consider reviewing its player safety process and suspension guidelines in response to the growing criticism surrounding the Gudas-Matthews incident.

The takeaway

McDavid's comments highlight the ongoing frustration around the NHL's disciplinary decisions and the need for the league to re-evaluate its approach to player safety in order to address the concerns of players, teams and fans.