Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas has been suspended by the league for six games after a high hit against Boston Bruins prospect Austin Czarnik on Saturday. Gudas lunged towards Czarnik’s head, knocking him out of the game with the hit.
And the ruling:
Philadelphia's Radko Gudas suspended six games for interference on Boston's Austin Czarnik. https://t.co/1JieTjuvjP
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 10, 2016
Gudas has been in the news for the wrong reasons multiple times in the past few seasons. He’s an undisciplined hitter and it’s gotten him in some hot water. Gudas wasn’t suspended but drew criticism after a dirty hit this offseason against Jimmy Vesey. Gudas has been suspended once before, last season, for an illegal hit to the head of Ottawa Senators forward Mike Zibanejad. With the suspension Gudas will forfeit $245,000 in salary.
General Manager Ron Hextall commented on Gudas’ frequent run-ins with the Department of Player Safety and admitted he’s got to be more careful on the ice.
“It’s something that [Gudas] has got to be aware of,” adding “[Gudas] is a very effective player. [He’s] got to play physical. There’s just the odd thing that he has to take out of his game.”
Hextall is bang-on with his assessment. Gudas is a physical player and thrives while playing with an edge, but he can’t put other players in danger while on the ice. It’s been one too many times with Gudas, so a six-game suspension is more than reasonable for head-hunting a rookie in a preseason game.
