Auston Matthews underwent successful MCL surgery in New York on Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced. The 28-year-old captain faces a 12-week recovery timeline and is expected to be fully healthy for training camp.

Matthews was injured one week earlier from a knee-to-knee hit by Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas, who received a five-game suspension. Toronto believed the punishment was insufficient.

"We lose our captain for the year. It doesn't seem like enough for me," Leafs coach Craig Berube said.

Matthews' agent Judd Moldaver issued a sharp rebuke of the NHL's Department of Player Safety following the disciplinary decision.

"While the process is set in our CBA, that this was the discipline is reckless and ridiculous," Moldaver wrote. "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."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman defended the department at this week's GM meetings, calling the criticism unfair. Player Safety head George Parros also stood behind his team's nine-year process.

Gudas also ended Sidney Crosby's Olympic campaign with a hit in the quarterfinals, though Crosby said he did not consider it a dirty play.

The injury caps a difficult season for Toronto, which is on track to miss the playoffs for the first time since Matthews debuted in 2016-17. The Maple Leafs were sellers at the trade deadline as the franchise looks to reset.

Matthews finished the season with 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games. His surgery makes a appearance at this spring's World Championships unlikely.