In last night’s preseason finale, Radko Gudas ran afoul of the on-ice officials due to a check of Bruins’ forward Austin Czarnik. Gudas was given a two-minute penalty for boarding on the play.
Late hit by Gudas here, hope Czarnik is okay! pic.twitter.com/dLzF3IuIZl
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) October 8, 2016
Apparently, the Department of Player Safety had more of an issue with the hit.
It was announced today that DoPS had offered Gudas an in-person hearing for the hit on Czarnik, which means that the almost-certain suspension has the potential to be five games or longer. Gudas waived his right to an in-person meeting and will instead speak with DoPS over the phone, but that does not change the potential length of the punishment.
(1/2) Philadelphia’s Radko Gudas has been offered an in-person hearing for interference on Boston’s Austin Czarnik.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 9, 2016
(2/2) Gudas has waived his right to an in-person hearing. A hearing will be held tomorrow via telephone.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 9, 2016
Gudas has a history of questionable hits. He was suspended last December for a hit on Ottawa’s Mika Zibanejad, and had a rash of borderline hits last February, none of which resulted in a suspension. There were some calls for Gudas to be disciplined for hit on Jimmy Vesey last week, but he avoided a call from DoPS then. This time, he wasn’t so lucky.
Because he is a repeat offender and because Czarnik was injured on the hit, DoPS could throw the book at him in terms of punishment. This breakdown of the disciplinary process by BSH alumnus Eric Tulsky helps to shed light on how they usually make their decisions.
Despite his propensity for questionable hits, Gudas is a useful NHL defenseman who was the blueline’s best play-driver last season, so this definitely hurts Philadelphia’s chances for a quick start. The Flyers also are already dealing with a three-game suspension to Brayden Schenn to start the season, and Gudas would make two players inactive due to league discipline for opening night, and probably beyond.
If Brandon Manning is healthy by this Friday, he will likely slide into Gudas’ spot in the starting lineup. If not, they’ll have to recall a player like T.J. Brennan, Will O’Neill, or even prospect Samuel Morin, probably using their LTIR allowance gained by placing Michael Del Zotto into that designation.
