Radko Gudas knew a suspension was coming, but didn't think it would be this lengthy.
The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman waived his right to an in-person hearing after dangerously slashingMathieu Perreault of the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 16, choosing instead to speak to the NHL's Department of Player Safety over the phone.
The invitation to meet face-to-face generally means the player is in for a suspension of at least five games, and in the end, the NHL deemed it prudent to ban Gudas for 10.
"I was surprised, I did not expect that," Gudas said Monday via Flyers TV. "I don't agree with it, but I accept their decision. There's not much else I can say."
The NHL's decision was based on Gudas' forceful chop delivered to a player in a vulnerable position, and while he did admit to being reckless with his stick, he added he's never used it like that before.
Gudas is eligible to return to the lineup Dec. 12.
One of the biggest perks of being a professional hockey player is getting paid like one.
However, not all NHL players have the privilege of earning multi-million-dollar contracts, as a large group of guys operate at the league-minimum salary of $650,000.
Let's take a look at the NHL's league minimum All-Stars; a starting lineup of players currently making their $650K salaries look like complete steals.
Forwards
Brian Gibbons, New Jersey
Massive props due if Gibbons was a late-round fantasy addition this season, as he's easily been one of the biggest surprises on a team that is seemingly full of them in the Devils.
In the span of two seasons, Gibbons has gone from a player on a professional tryout, to waivers, to leading the Devils in scoring with nine goals - he also has three assists to his credit.
The 29-year-old pivot has an unproven track record that includes only 22 points across 67 career regular-season games, so it's no shock that he's earning the league minimum. But, if he can maintain even 50 percent of this output, the Devils have a true bargain on their hands.
With offensive studs like Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Patrick Eaves all missing prolonged periods of time, Grant and Co. have stepped up to fill the void.
Four goals and six assists in just over 13 minutes of action per night, well worth the $650,000 price tag.
Martin Frk, Detroit Red Wings
In addition to being the first-ever NHLer with no vowels in his name, Frk can actually bring it offensively, notching six goals and three assists in 18 games for the Wings this season.
Frk is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury that has stunted his production, but he's already displaying the offensive gifts that has him in line for a significant raise when his current deal expires in July.
Defensemen
Derek Forbort, Los Angles Kings
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
With a blue line perennially dominated by the likes of Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin, Forbort is easily overlooked. But this year, the 25-year-old is very quietly carving out an important role for himself on the Kings' back end.
Sure, he doesn't light the lamp or have a booming slapper, but he plays in a pairing with Doughty, so he really doesn't need to chip in offensively every night to be a rock-solid rearguard.
The former 15th overall draft pick has five assists to his credit so far, but his importance to L.A. lays in his ability to log heavy minutes, block shots, and kill penalties - three things he does very well.
Tim Heed, San Jose Sharks
Easily the least-recognizable name on this list, Heed, a 26-year-old rookie, is doing his best to make a name for himself. While he has the fortunate distinction of playing alongside Brent Burns and on the Sharks' power play, Heed has still been a pleasant surprise, especially at $650K.
Through 16 games, Heed has notched seven points, a game-winning goal, and 37 shots on net while logging 18 minutes of ice time per night.
Goalie
Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Despite sitting firmly entrenched as the Kings' No. 2 option between the pipes, Kuemper is performing like he has what it takes to be the starter, registering impressive numbers while serving as Jonathan Quick's backup.
Across his four starts this season, Kuemper has posted a 3-0-1 record to go along with a sparkling 1.62 GAA and .943 save percentage.
Quick is under contract until 2023, so realistically, Kuemper will be spending most of his time this year riding the pine. But, that doesn't change the fact that he's a complete steal for $650,000.
Teravainen notched five goals and five assists in four games, including a hat trick against against the Dallas Stars. The diminutive forward is a big reason for Carolina's resurgence, as the Hurricanes have won back-to-back games and five of their last seven.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen took home this week's second-star honors, as he's been a brick wall of late, posting back-to-back shutouts in his last two games. Across his three starts last week, Andersen went a perfect 3-0-0 while registering an unreal save percentage of .982.
Rounding out the group is Colorado Avalanche pivot Nathan MacKinnon, whose week was highlighted by a five-point, single-game performance against the Washington Capitals. In three games for the Avs, MacKinnon racked up two goals and five assists.
Carey Price took another step closer to returning to action Monday, as head coach Claude Julien announced the All-Star netminder will be traveling with the team for its upcoming two-game road trip.
The news came after Price participated in his first full practice in almost three weeks, as the 30-year-old 'tender had been skating on his own prior to Monday.
While this is obviously positive news for Montreal, Julien stated that Price is still day to day, with Lindgren pegged as the starter against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, according to TSN's John Lu. That would leave a possible Price return for Wednesday night when the Canadiens take on the Nashville Predators.
theScore's NHL Power Rankings are published every other Monday. Our fourth installment is put together by editors Josh Gold-Smith, Ian McLaren, and Cory Wilkins.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (15-3-2)
Previously 1st
The dynamic duo of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov is showing no signs of letting up. Four consecutive victories before a loss Saturday kept the Lightning where they deserve to be.
- Wilkins
2. Toronto Maple Leafs (14-7-0) ▲
Previously 21st
No Auston Matthews? No problem. With their best player on the sidelines, the Maple Leafs cruised to four straight wins of their own, then captured No. 5 against the rival Canadiens upon Matthews' return.
- Wilkins
3. Winnipeg Jets (12-4-3) ▲
Previously 5th
The Jets are proving the pundits correct: Give Winnipeg a goaltender and they're a dangerous team. The Jets have won four straight, allowing just six goals in the process.
- Wilkins
4. Nashville Predators (11-6-2) ▲
Previously 12th
Kyle Turris has been a hit in the Music City, chipping in three points in four games, while the Predators have taken three of four contests since his arrival.
- Wilkins
5. St. Louis Blues (15-5-1) ▼
Previously 2nd
A bit of a dip for the Blues, as St. Louis was on the wrong end of an ugly loss to the Flames, just days after needing extra time to take down the last-place Coyotes.
- Wilkins
6. New York Islanders (11-7-2) ▲
Previously 15th
It's been a mixed bag for the Islanders, but the team's most impressive outing was a 5-3 win over the first-place Lightning. Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak continue to battle for minutes between the pipes.
- Wilkins
7. Columbus Blue Jackets (12-7-1) ▼
Previously 3rd
The Blue Jackets will need to find the back of the net more often in order to climb this list. Columbus mustered just six regulation goals in its last five appearances.
- Wilkins
8. Vegas Golden Knights (12-6-1) ▲
Previously 10th
Credit the Golden Knights for their ability to find the win column despite constant injuries in the crease. One negative of the week: an 8-2 shellacking to the struggling Oilers.
- Wilkins
9. New Jersey Devils (11-5-3) ▼
Previously 6th
The Devils are .500 in their last six outings, despite allowing four more goals than they've scored. Travis Zajac's return should improve the team's fortunes.
- Wilkins
10. Los Angeles Kings (12-7-2) ▼
Previously 4th
Winning just two of their last six, with only one coming in regulation, cracks are starting to show in the Kings' hot start to the season.
- Wilkins
11. Calgary Flames (11-8-0) ▲
Previously 25th
Johnny Gaudreau has quietly risen among the NHL's point leaders, and if Mike Smith can remain healthy while the defense starts to mesh more effectively, Calgary could really set the league on fire.
- McLaren
12. Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-2) ▲
Previously 24th
A tightly contested win over Pittsburgh on Saturday served notice that this team's window hasn't closed quite yet. Having said that, maybe beating Pittsburgh isn't all that impressive these days (see below).
- McLaren
13. Pittsburgh Penguins (11-8-3) ▼
Previously 9th
The Penguins' defensive numbers have been skewed by a few lopsided losses, but the defending Stanley Cup champions are also having trouble scoring. Issues at both ends of the ice doesn't bode well moving forward.
- McLaren
14. Detroit Red Wings (10-8-3) ▲
Previously 27th
Detroit appears to have some swagger back following a fight-filled romp over Calgary. The Wings are defying expectations and young stars Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are leading the way.
- McLaren
15. San Jose Sharks (10-8-0) ▼
Previously 7th
Despite the winning record, San Jose has scored the fewest amount of goals in the NHL, and the offensive struggles are exacerbated by the fact Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns has zero goals on 75 shots.
- McLaren
16. Anaheim Ducks (9-7-3) ▼
Previously 14th
Recent wins over Vancouver, Boston, and Florida helped end a stretch of losses for the Ducks, who are somehow hanging on in the midst of a slew of injuries.
- McLaren
17. Minnesota Wild (9-8-2) ▲
Previously 20th
Prior to a loss to Washington on Saturday, the Wild won four in a row, including a string of three-straight shutouts by Devan Dubnyk. The streak helped Minnesota get back on the positive side of the goal differential ledger.
- McLaren
18. Washington Capitals (11-9-1) ▲
Previously 22nd
The two-time defending Presidents' Trophy winners have certainly lost some luster. Braden Holtby is being left out to dry with regularity, but thankfully the offense is still chugging along.
- McLaren
19. Dallas Stars (10-9-1) ▼
Previously 8th
A win over Edmonton on Saturday snapped a three-game losing streak, but 20 games in, this team does not want to be in the lower tier of the standings in terms of point percentage.
- McLaren
20. New York Rangers (10-9-2) ▼
Previously 16th
The Blueshirts have recorded 10 wins in 20 games, and a team that features Henrik Lundqvist in net should not have a negative goal differential.
- McLaren
21. Ottawa Senators (8-5-6) ▼
Previously 11th
Note to other teams looking to avoid falling in the rankings: Don't lose to the worst team in the league in the same week you get beaten by a defending Stanley Cup champion still looking to find its stride.
Unfortunately for the Senators, they can't just play the Avalanche every game.
- Gold-Smith
22. Boston Bruins (8-7-4) ▼
Previously 19th
Two big wins on the West Coast will do just fine, but they came after four straight defeats, including back-to-back losses to the Maple Leafs.
- Gold-Smith
23. Colorado Avalanche (10-8-1) ▼
Previously 17th
Colorado has lost four of their last six, including back-to-back defeats to the Senators in their Swedish sojourn, and a humbling loss to their other Matt Duchene trade partner, the Predators.
- Gold-Smith
24. Carolina Hurricanes (9-6-4) ▲
Previously 29th
Carolina isn't a playoff-calibre team yet, but there's reason for hope. The Hurricanes have won five of their last seven contests, including back-to-back victories over the weekend.
- Gold-Smith
25. Florida Panthers (7-11-2) ▲
Previously 31st
Getting shut out by the Kings on Saturday was hardly ideal, but Florida did blank the Sharks in San Jose two days earlier.
Florida has lost two straight games, but hovered around .500 since our last edition, so that's enough to get out of our basement for now.
- Gold-Smith
26. Vancouver Canucks (9-8-3) ▼
Previously 13th
Saturday's overtime loss to the Blues was a valiant effort, but the Canucks have won only two of the seven games since our last edition, and have emerged victorious in only three of their last 10. That's bad.
- Gold-Smith
27. Philadelphia Flyers (8-8-4) ▼
Previously 23rd
The Flyers blew a 3-1 lead and eventually lost to the Flames in overtime Saturday, dropping their fourth straight game and fifth in their last six.
Edmonton could still turn out to be a Stanley Cup contender, but the Oilers have dug themselves into a serious hole.
Neither their 4-1 loss to the Blues nor Saturday's 6-3 defeat to the Stars inspire much confidence that the Oilers will snap out of this any time soon.
- Gold-Smith
29. Montreal Canadiens (8-11-2) ▼
Previously 18th
Montreal got embarrassed by the Maple Leafs on Saturday night, and the 6-0 rout was the Canadiens' third consecutive loss. Is it time for a shake-up?
- Gold-Smith
30. Arizona Coyotes (4-15-3)
Previously 30th
A win streak! Two straight victories and an Anthony Duclair hat trick Saturday are encouraging, but the Coyotes still have the NHL's worst goal differential (-31), and they've won only three of their last 10 games.
- Gold-Smith
31. Buffalo Sabres (5-11-4) ▼
Previously 28th
Buffalo lost its fifth straight game Saturday, and that makes eight losses in the last 10 contests. Only the Coyotes have a worse goal differential than the skidding Sabres.
With a win over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, the expansion franchise improved to 8-1-0 at T-Mobile Arena.
That's the fewest amount of home losses among all NHL teams, and matches the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Toronto Maple Leafs for the most wins.
The only team to beat Vegas in Nevada is the Detroit Red Wings back on Oct. 13, and the Golden Knights have rattled off seven wins in a row since, outscoring the opposition 31-13 over that span.
No wonder the players are loving their new hockey home.
“This is one of the best buildings I’ve ever played in.” —Alex Tuch
And yes, we’ve now won SEVEN games in a row at home. #Lucky7
As the video shows, Watson was assessed a major and a game misconduct at the time of the incident. The check was deemed to be through the numbers and overly forceful, thereby meriting further discipline.
