Judd Moldaver, agent of Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, was not happy with the supplementary discipline given to Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas.

Gudas was given a five-game suspension by the NHL Department of Player Safety for kneeing Matthews during Thursday’s game between the two teams. Moldaver sent a memo to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, where he did not hold back when voicing his displeasure about the decision.

“In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am disappointed and shocked the league would allow such a ruling. A phone hearing and 5 games is laughable and preposterous,” Moldaver said. “While the process is set in our CBA, that this was the discipline is reckless and ridiculous. This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players. Players and fans deserve better. The Player Safety Department should be suspended.”

Gudas stuck his knee out intentionally and clipped Matthews in the offensive zone during the second period. Matthews immediately crashed to the ice and was assisted off the ice by trainers after he was initially slow to get up while favouring his left knee. As a result of the hit, Gudas was issued a five-minute major and game misconduct.

The Leafs confirmed before the announcement of the suspension that Matthews suffered a season-ending Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion as a result of the hit. It was a collision that several Leafs players and head coach Craig Berube described as a dirty hit.

“Obviously saw him down in pain,” Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies said post-game. “You know the player: he’s done that quite often. I think it should be looked at. It’s our best player going down. It’s gotta be taken by the league here.”

“I didn’t like it. I thought it was dirty. I think the referees made the call, reviewed it and to me made the right call,” Maple Leafs forward John Tavares said post-game. “I think we responded well with taking advantage of the opportunity that we had. Certainly, we hope he is alright, I haven’t seen him since, but obviously, if he doesn’t come back there’s some concern because I know how tough he is and how committed he is to taking care of himself.”

With the Leafs’ chances at reaching the playoffs already shot, losing Matthews for the remainder of the season is yet another blow for a team that has dealt with its fair share of losses. The recovery time for a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion likely won’t impact his availability for next year, but the Leafs in the interim are gonna be in for a tough test the rest of the way with their captain out.

The Leafs have a back-to-back this weekend, facing the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

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