Morgan Rielly has been handed a five-game suspension for his cross-check on Ridly Greig last weekend, but that doesn’t stop people from having opinions about the controversial incident.
For those who, against all odds, missed it: Senators’ Ridly Greig took a slap shot into an empty net against the Maple Leafs, rubbing some salt into Toronto’s wound, which had Morgan Rielly reacting violently.
Since then, analysts and fans have shared their opinions about Rielly’s actions and who was in the wrong. Now, analyst P.K. Subban shares his thoughts on it, and his take was surprising.
Subban, a former NHL superstar and a current TV personality on ESPN, was on the Pat McAfee Show to speak his mind about the hottest topic in hockey right now.
Subban, who appeared to be in the bathtub during his time on the show, claims the game has changed.
When Ryan Reaves said that something like this would’ve never happened during his early league years, he was slammed for the take.
But Subban agrees with him.
”The game has changed, the culture has changed,” Subban said.
”If I would have done that my first year in the league, oh my goodness, against Boston or something like that? Guys probably would have been over the bench, guys would have jumped the bench, and I would have been jumped for sure.
”It wouldn’t have been good. Like, honestly, it wouldn’t have been good at all.”
After the incident, many experts slammed Greig for what happened, claiming it was straight-up disrespectful.
But Subban unexpectedly blamed Toronto.
”First and foremost, if you don’t want anyone doing anything like that—it’s the same thing I said about the World Juniors, where everybody was giving it to Team USA about their celebrating—if you don’t want guys to celebrate, if you don’t want anyone to get in your kitchen and stir the pot, well, you’re the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Subban said.
”You guys got how many guys making $12 million bucks a year? This is supposed to be a Cup-contending team. Don’t let Ottawa tuck you in when you’re fighting for your playoff spot. You’re in the wild card race right now. Don’t let Ottawa tuck you in.”
Subban also said that he respected both Greig and Rielly for what they did.
”I’m not surprised by what happened. I absolutely love that he (Greig) took the opportunity to get in their kitchen. But Morgan Rielly … I love the reaction, you gotta react. But if you cross-check someone in the head, you’re getting suspended.”
