Tkachuk Brothers Defend Auston Matthews After Controversial Hit

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk weigh in on the Auston Matthews-Radko Gudas incident and call for more physical response from teammates.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:21pm

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After Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was lost for the season due to a hit by Anaheim Ducks' Radko Gudas, NHL analysts, agents, and Matthews' teammates have all commented on the controversy. Now, hockey brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are weighing in, saying that if they were on the Leafs, they "probably wouldn't have lasted that game without being in a scrum after every whistle" to defend their teammate.

Why it matters

The Tkachuk brothers are known for their physical, old-school style of play, and their comments highlight the ongoing debate in hockey around player safety, retaliation, and the role of fighting in the modern NHL.

The details

Radko Gudas was suspended five games for his hit on Auston Matthews. Matthew Tkachuk said that "anytime something happens to your best player or captain, there has to be some sort of response" and that "sticking up for your teammate matters more in a game like that." Brady Tkachuk agreed, saying that if they were on the Leafs, "nobody's coming out of that game without at least a hit or a little jab" and that "there would've been a scrum after every whistle."

  • Radko Gudas was suspended on March 17, 2026 for his hit on Auston Matthews.

The players

Auston Matthews

Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs who was lost for the season due to the hit by Radko Gudas.

Radko Gudas

Anaheim Ducks player who delivered the hit on Auston Matthews that resulted in a 5-game suspension.

Matthew Tkachuk

NHL player known for his physical, old-school style of play, who commented on the Matthews-Gudas incident.

Brady Tkachuk

NHL player and brother of Matthew Tkachuk, who also commented on the Matthews-Gudas incident.

Keith Tkachuk

Former NHL player and father of Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, who was known for fighting to defend his teammates.

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What they’re saying

“Anytime something happens to your best player or captain, there has to be some sort of response. You shouldn't have to fight for every clean hit, but if something dirty happens or a guy gets hurt, you deal with it right away. At that point, it's not even about the points in the standings. Sticking up for your teammate matters more in a game like that.”

— Matthew Tkachuk

“I don't know, I think Brady and I are pretty old school in the way we think, but if we were on the Leafs, we probably wouldn't have lasted that game without being in a scrum after every whistle. Nobody's coming out of that game without at least a hit or a little jab. There would've been a scrum after every whistle.”

— Matthew Tkachuk

What’s next

The NHL will likely continue to review incidents of dangerous hits and make decisions on suspensions, while the debate around player safety and retaliation in hockey will likely continue.

The takeaway

The Tkachuk brothers' comments highlight the ongoing tension in hockey between the desire to protect players and the traditional 'old school' mentality of physically defending teammates, even if it means retaliation and fighting. This incident showcases how these differing philosophies continue to shape the modern NHL.