Chris Pronger on Auston Matthews hit and NHL player safety

Chris Pronger offers a rare insider’s view on NHL discipline, having been suspended eight times as a player before joining the league’s Department of Player Safety in 2014. The Hall of Famer, who promotes his new book “Earned,” spoke with ESPN about recent controversies, including Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas’ five-game suspension for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews’ season.[1][2] Pronger witnessed the play live from the fifth row, predicting trouble when Matthews pulled the puck back instead of shooting.

The incident has sparked outrage, with Matthews’ agent Judd Moldaver calling for the Player Safety Department to be suspended and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid questioning the process. Pronger, drawing from both sides of the disciplinary table, provides context on how such rulings are made.

Pronger’s dual perspective on suspensions

Pronger racked up double-digit phone calls from the NHL during his career, with suspensions for slashing, high-sticking, leaving the bench, hits to the head, kicking and stepping on Ryan Kesler. His most notorious was an eight-game ban for the skate incident. Yet, he transitioned to advising on discipline while under contract with the Philadelphia Flyers and later Arizona Coyotes, recusing himself from their cases.

The process evolved significantly from his playing days. Early discipline relied on “feel” and situation rather than standards, with little CBA guidance on supplementary discipline. By his DoPS tenure under Stephane Quintal, a structured system existed, though rules like Rule 48 on head hits changed yearly—hits once legal became illegal.

Pronger emphasizes viewing plays through a new lens, considering unintended consequences. For the Matthews hit, he notes Gudas’ defensive style: always finishing checks on players cutting to the middle. While fault lies with Gudas, Matthews’ puck-handling choice contributed to the collision’s severity.

He contrasts it with non-hockey plays, like A.J. Greer’s shove on Connor Zary, which drew a three-game suspension.[3] Pronger’s time at DoPS taught him the balancing act between precedent and context.

Debating injury severity in discipline

Many questioned if Matthews’ status as a top player warranted harsher punishment beyond five games, given the season-ending injury. Pronger argues against outcome-based suspensions, as they create inconsistency—no uproar if no injury occurs despite a dirty hit.

“Repeat offender” status for Gudas factors salary loss, not identical repeat acts like Raffi Torres’ 40-game ban. Pronger’s own multiple suspensions varied, never repeating the same infraction. Owners, GMs, NHL, and NHLPA resist lengthy bans to avoid impacting teams.

Star players complicate matters; suspending Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid draws backlash, as with McDavid’s three-game suspension last year. Pronger warns against dual standards for bottom-six grinders versus top talent.

The NHLPA’s role is key—players must push their union for stiffer penalties, as Pronger told Ryan Getzlaf. CBA limits actions otherwise.

Calls to reform player safety

Recent rulings, including Gudas on Matthews and Greer on Zary, fuel demands for George Parros’ removal as DoPS head. Pronger defends the thankless job: if both sides complain post-hearing, it’s likely fair.

Precedent binds rulings; NHLPA enforces consistency. Pronger suggests better PR, like frequent showcases of nightly reviews beyond annual videos, as social algorithms limit reach.

He opposes filming hearings, citing privacy on personal matters and mindset. For more on the Gudas suspension, see this coverage.

Details of the hit itself are available here.

Pronger’s book and lasting lessons

“Earned: The True Cost of Greatness from One of Hockey’s Fiercest Competitors” releases April 14. Pronger shares adversity, ownership and leaning into discomfort—lessons from athletes who face constant hardship.

People assume success was easy due to his size, but he counters: “Clearly, you don’t know my story.” The book highlights forgotten struggles behind trophies.

Pronger’s insights underscore NHL discipline’s complexities, balancing safety, precedent and stakeholder interests.

As debates rage, his call for transparency could shape reforms, ensuring players and fans better understand rulings amid ongoing scrutiny. What it means for playoffs: Toronto pushes without Matthews, while DoPS navigates pressure for consistency.[4]