Ryan Reaves, the rugged forward known for his physical style of play, finds himself in familiar territory as he faces his fourth NHL suspension, this time sidelined for five games due to an illegal hit delivered to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The incident, which marks Reaves' third suspension related to high hits, occurred during the second period of a tense matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers.
The contact, which left Nurse unable to return to the game, resulted from a shoulder-driven effort by Reaves that made Nurse's head the principal point of contact. The hit not only sidelined a crucial player for the Oilers but also added a layer of controversy to a match that ended with the Maple Leafs edging out the Oilers 4-3 in overtime.
The Department of Player Safety, responsible for evaluating on-ice conduct and ensuring player welfare, commented on the incident, emphasizing the avoidable nature of the head contact. "Reaves closes in on Nurse and delivers a high, hard check that cuts across the front of Nurse's body, missing his core and picking his head, making it the main point of contact on his body where such head contact was avoidable," they stated, underscoring the severity of the impact.
Darnell Nurse, a key player for the Oilers with two goals and nine points over 18 games this season, has been instrumental in the team's defensive lineup, averaging nearly 21 minutes of ice time per game. His absence on the ice was palpably felt, further magnifying the hit's repercussions given Nurse's significant contributions to the team.
This confrontation also affects Reaves financially, with the Maple Leafs forward set to forfeit $35,156.25 in salary during his suspension. With a modest track record this season, averaging 7 minutes and 51 seconds of play per game and registering a single assist over 16 appearances, Reaves' presence will surely be missed, though perhaps not as critically as Nurse's for the Oilers.
Reaves is slated to make his return on December 4th against Nashville, a date that marks the end of his enforced hiatus. The extended absence offers a chance for both introspection and calibration on his approach to physical play, something the league hopes he will address to prevent future infractions.
Among Reaves' teammates and peers, opinions vary on the incident. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Oilers expressed concern over the physicality of the play and its effect on Nurse. "It's a dangerous play. [Reaves] has got to know that Nursey doesn't see him coming and choose the right path there, and he doesn't. It's tough to see one of your teammates on the ice like that," Nugent-Hopkins lamented, highlighting the importance of maintaining vigilance and respect for opponents' safety in such a fast-paced game.
As the dust settles from this contentious game, both teams will need to navigate the immediate future with an eye on maintaining pace in their respective divisions. For the Oilers, losing a player of Nurse's caliber is a significant blow, while the Leafs must find ways to adapt without their enforcer as they continue their campaign.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the game's physical nature and the ongoing challenges faced by the NHL in balancing player safety with the intensity and excitement that make hockey a beloved sport worldwide. With eyes trained on Reaves' return, all stakeholders hope for a focus on clean, fair play while ensuring the league's hard-hitting action remains uncompromised yet safe.