Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has been handed a five-game suspension by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for delivering an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. This marks Reaves’ fourth career suspension and the third related to a hit he has made in his career.
The incident occurred during the second period of the game between the Maple Leafs and the Oilers, where Reaves delivered a forceful shoulder hit to Nurse’s head as he was carrying the puck behind his own net. Nurse was left bloodied on the ice and had to be assisted to the dressing room by medical staff and a teammate. Nurse did not return to the game after the hit.
The Department of Player Safety stated that Reaves’ hit on Nurse was avoidable, as the head was the main point of contact and Nurse did not significantly alter his position prior to the hit. The decision to suspend Reaves for five games was made based on the fact that the hit met the criteria of an illegal check to the head, caused an injury to Nurse, and Reaves’ history of prior suspensions.
Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch did not provide an update on Nurse’s condition following the game. Nurse has been a key player for the Oilers this season, contributing two goals and nine points in 18 games while logging significant minutes on the blue line. His absence due to injury will be a significant loss for the team, and they will need to rely on other defensemen to step up in his absence.
Reaves, on the other hand, has had a limited role in the Maple Leafs lineup this season, averaging the lowest ice time among the team at 7:51 minutes per game. He has recorded one assist in 16 games played so far.
The play has sparked controversy and criticism from players and fans, with Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins describing it as a dangerous play that could have been avoided. The suspension serves as a reminder of the NHL’s commitment to player safety and the consequences of dangerous hits on the ice.
As the Leafs prepare to move forward without Reaves for the next five games, they will need other players to step up and fill the void left by his absence. Meanwhile, the Oilers will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Nurse as they look to maintain their defensive strength in his absence.