MANALAPAN — George Parros is standing by the NHL’s decision to suspend Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas five games for a knee-on-knee hit that injured Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, a punishment that has been criticized as too lenient.
Speaking on Tuesday at the league’s annual general manager meetings, the NHL’s head of player safety said the league followed its standard process despite questions about Gudas’s history, which includes four previous suspensions.
“I feel confident in this decision,” Parros said. “When we evaluate these plays, we look at the play, not the players … we did this and made this decision under those circumstances, felt that this was the appropriate response … and I…