“Forgetting he’s in NHL,” Former NHLer BLASTS Darnell Nurse for blaming Ryan Reaves for vicious hit; fans react

Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse criticizing Leafs winger Ryan Reaves for intentional hit causing uproar in NHL society.

“Forgetting he’s in NHL,” Former NHLer BLASTS Darnell Nurse for blaming Ryan Reaves for vicious hit; fans react

Ryan Reaves and Darnell Nurse [Image Credit: Sportsnet/Reddit]

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse got heavily criticized by several NHL fans and pundits for criticizing Ryan Reaves for the hit. They all pointed out how Nurse should’ve kept his head up to see what was coming rather than focus on his skates.

Former NHL player Jay Rosehill and even Reaves’ brother, Jordan, took to social media to blast Nurse for putting the blame solely on the Maple Leafs winger. The incident took place over the weekend when Reaves slammed into Nurse with a headshot hit.

The play was reviewed by the NHL Player Safety and Ryan Reaves was issued a five-game suspension as the league took his past into account. ‘Reavo’ is known in the NHL for his hits and body check and it was not surprising that the NHL took it seriously.

He appeared in the media for the first time a day before speaking on the incident and blaming Reaves. He said it was obvious that he was going for the head hit saying it was intentional to hurt him.

You can argue about the intent, but there are certain guys in this league that, each shift, they go out there and try and go inflict pain. I think it was pretty obvious what was going on there.

Darnell Nurse as per Sportsnet media.

However, former NHLer Jay Rosehill did not take kindly to his words. He fired back saying if Reaves really wanted to hurt him, he would have blown him away and not only stop with the head hit. 

Do you honestly think Revo wouldn’t have rather made that hit eight inches behind and caught your shoulder? He would’ve blown you up to kingdom come and stood over you saying, ‘Choo choo, Darnell.’ Darnell’s wheeling the net like it’s a Sunday beer skate, forgetting he’s in the NHL…

Jay Rosehill on X.

The former player further questioned how he could blame Reaves when he himself has taken his gloves off for bare-fist fighting in the NHL. He added if Nurse in those times had any intention to hurt a player. But hits like these are common, and it’s never a player’s intention to genuinely hurt somebody. Rosehill said Reaves was just playing hard, and there was no intention behind it.

Ryan Reaves’ brother slams Darnell Nurse for pushing blame on forward 

Ryan Reaves was issued the highest suspension possible according to the laws. Reaves apparently even tried to catch up with Darnell Nurse after the incident in an attempt to apologize. However, it seems like it wasn’t enough to calm down the defenceman.

Ryan Reaves and brother Jordan, Darnell Nurse
Ryan Reaves and brother Jordan, Darnell Nurse [Image Credit: X/Reuters]

After going off on media on Reaves, Nurse took quite a hit from the forward’s brother Jordan on social media. Jordan fired back saying Nurse should have kept his head high to look what was in front of him.

It wasn’t only Jordan or Jay Rosehill who blasted Nurse’s criticizing stance. Several fans on social media echoed the same sentiments. One X user noted, “Maybe keep your head up next time,” while another added, “Clean hit. Cope.”

It seems like the Darnell Nurse-Ryan Reaves drama is yet to end. Both of them have not played on the ice since that incident. Reaves is serving the suspension, while Nurse is expected to be back in the lineup soon.