Player safety has long been a hot button issue in the NHL, and it’s come to a boiling point over the past couple of days.

On Thursday night, Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas went knee-on-knee with Auston Matthews, ending the latter’s season and catching a five-game suspension for his actions. While five games was the maximum length of suspension for a phone hearing, many believe that Gudas’ suspension should have been longer due to the nature of the play and his history as a repeat offender. Department of Player Safety head George Parros released a statement on Tuesday in which he defended his team’s process and said players should express confidence in them.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly was informed of these comments at morning skate on Tuesday and said that while he didn’t know the specifics of what was said, he believes that there’s always room for improvement in areas like this.

“In terms of changing what they’re doing, I don’t know what that would look like and I didn’t hear what those guys said, but I think that there’s always room to improve and do better,” Rielly told reporters. “Especially over time, I think that the league has player safety in mind and they prioritize that, and I think that’s important. As we go along, there’s always going to be changes or opportunities to improve how things go.”

Rielly added that any changes would involve player input and spoke about his experience being involved with processes like this one.

“I’ve been on calls with guys where we discuss rules and players are allowed to give their opinion,” he continued. “Goalies are allowed to give their opinions on goalie interference stuff. I’ve taken part in that kind of stuff…when it comes to player safety, that’s something that I think is always good when you get input from all.”

While the Leafs’ season is as close to a lost cause as you can get, the issue has taken on a life of its own with commentary about how Matthews’ teammates responded to the incident. While there wasn’t much of a reaction when it happened, it had a clear effect on the Leafs’ dressing room afterwards and multiple players have called for a longer suspension. At any rate, the Leafs play the Ducks once more this season and some players have taken note of it.

“Certainly not happy about it, and play ’em in a couple of weeks,” Max Domi said postgame last Thursday.

The Maple Leafs are back in action on Tuesday night when they host rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer and the New York Islanders.