Ryan Reaves was suspended for five games after a controversial hit to Darnell Nurse’s head. But what does Ryan Reaves himself think about it? Well, we still don’t know—and now, a decision from the Toronto Maple Leafs leaves fans divided.
The incident occurred during the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers this past weekend. As Darnell Nurse had possession of the puck in the Oilers’ zone, Reaves delivered a huge hit that initially and unfortunately made contact with Nurse’s head.
The Oilers defenseman was bloodied and needed help from his teammates to get off the ice, and he didn’t return to the game. Reaves was ejected from the game for the hit, and on Sunday, it was announced that he’s been suspended for five games. It’s been the most talked-about subject in the NHL, but how Ryan Reaves feels about what happened, and his suspension, is still unknown.
Ryan Reaves prohibited to talk
The Leafs practiced on Tuesday morning, and it was the first chance to talk to Reaves since the Department of Player Safety handed him the suspension. According to reporters in Toronto, Reaves ‘seemed eager’ to talk about it once practice was over, but when the time came, the Maple Leafs’ media relations team had other plans. The Maple Leafs’ media relations team simply prohibited Reaves from talking to the press, per The Hockey News’ Nick Barden.
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It’s uncertain why the Maple Leafs don’t want Reaves to make his thoughts on the suspension and incident with Nurse known, but on social media, fans had mixed opinions about it. Many felt that Toronto was in the wrong for stopping Reaves, even calling the team cowards. But many also had some understanding behind it.
“From a PR perspective, it’s much easier to keep them silent than to worry about fixing what they might say,” one said.
