I've never confused the NHL with the government or DoPS with the police and the courts. I don't expect them to be fair.

The NHL is not a noble pursuit of great meaning and importance, it's a rough and tumble game that's supposed to be physical for our entertainment. It's supposed to be controlled aggression, structured physical contests, and restrained violence.

Almost a show, almost real.

I watch the game to see a wonderous story of humans striving against the obstacles that prevent success, but I also know it's a show.

The NHL has failed at one of the most important parts of showbiz. It's about the stars not the clowns in the third ring of the circus. It's about the centre ring talent.

Auston Matthews, gold medal around his neck, two different jerseys with a C stitched on them, is a star. I don't give a shit that he isn't in the playoffs or that he's had a very bad, no-good season. He's still it. And the NHL should damn well act like it.

Radko Gudas is nobody. He's a clown. The NHL wants him to be famous for his "borderline" hits, and how many people need knee surgery after they've met him before they realize he's escaped the border?

But he isn't worth any attention. And if the NHL values its stars, wants to promote its game, and particularly, for the love of HRR, its American stars, then maybe they should throw the damn book at the clown who injured the best American player in the game.

Gudas hit Matthews, intentionally, in the knee – a rare infraction because it is so dangerous – because he could not defend a player that much better than him.

In other words, Radko Gudas is more aware of the value disparity here than the league.

Buck up NHL. Embrace your unchecked power to suspend at will and hand out a serious, real deterrent suspension. Protect your stars.