“Total BS” – Fans divided as Ryan Reaves gets SUSPENDED five games for NASTY hit on Darnell Nurse

Ryan Reaves gets suspended for five games in NHL after delivering critical hit to the head on Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse.

“Total BS” – Fans divided as Ryan Reaves gets SUSPENDED five games for NASTY hit on Darnell Nurse

Ryan Reaves hit on Darnell Nurse [Image Credit: TSN]

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced their hearing on Ryan Reaves nasty hit on Darnell Nurse after 4 pm on Sunday. Reaves was suspended for five games by the NHL and is to forfeit $35.156.25 in salary.

The money will go to the Player’s Emergency Assistance Fund. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves will be allowed to join back on December 4 during their game against Nashville Predators at the Scotiabank Arena. 

YouTube video

He’ll missing the Maple Leafs upcoming games against the Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Hockey Club, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Chicago Blackhawks. Reaves got a telephone hearing about the suspension and got the maximum punishment available.

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During the call, Darnell Nurses’ injury to the head and Ryan Reaves‘ history with illegal checks and suspension were taken into account. Nurse was seen wobbling after the hit on the ice and was left bloodied by the 37-year-old.

Reaves closes in on Nurse as he rounds the net 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 a hit where such head contact was avoidable.

NHL Player Safety in a video as per NHL.com

In a video explainer, NHL Player Safety discusses how Reaves could have avoided a head hit and instead gone for a body check. However, he knowingly went for the critical hit, and “this is an illegal check to the head.”

Social media divided on NHL’s suspension on Ryan Reaves

Ryan Reaves’ suspension surpasses the 2024-25 season game’s longest record so far. The highest before this incident was LA Kings forward Tanner Jeannot’s three-game suspension for a dangerous check to the head of Vancouver Canucks Brock Boeser.

Ryan Reaves
Ryan Reaves [Image Credit: The Playoffs]

However, fans are divided on social media. Many believe the suspension for five games is too much considering how Darnell Nurse was also not keeping his head up. Then some demanded a longer and more severe punishment considering his past actions.

One X user commented, “Total BS”, while another said, “I’m ok with this.” Some even commented, “That’s it?!? With his history??” Check more fan reactions below:

Oilers players too were critical of Reaves for the hit on their teammate. While they all spoke about how terrible it was, they hoped to see Nurse alright. Hopefully, the Oilers defenceman will not miss out on too much ice-time and get well soon.