Radko Gudas hasn't just injured Auston Matthews' knee, but Canada's captain, too

For hockey fans in Canada, Radko Gudas has not become a favorite in the last couple months.

Gudas has been in the headlines recently for his knee-to-knee hit that injured Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, ending his season. Many were unhappy with what has been called a "dirty" hit.

This isn't the first knee injury Gudas has dished out in 2026, though.

Playing for Czechia, it was Gudas who hit Sidney Crosby, ending his Olympics and keeping him out of action still for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Crosby is expected to return this season, unlike Crosby, but that doesn't necessarily excuse the outcome.

Gudas has been given a five-game suspension by the NHL for his hit on Matthews.

MORE: We finally know what Sidney Crosby's Olympic injury is

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube told reporters he thinks it should be more.

"We lose our guy, our captain, for the year," Berube said on Saturday. "It doesn't seem like enough for me."

That certainly seems like a fair way to look at it.

The NHL made clear its thoughts on Gudas when it held his hearing over the phone, which maxes out at a possible five-game suspension. 

Fans of the Leafs certainly thought it should be more.

And with this added record of Crosby's hit on the mind, it's really a rough look by Gudas lately.

More NHL news:

• Could the Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews be done?
• Unheralded winger set new NHL skating speed record
• How beer has keyed the Sabres' special season
• Just a bit of doubt about Alex Ovechkin's future
• Evgeni Malkin still facing a bit of tension
• The $25 million implication of Maple Leafs' Bobby McMann trade