Toronto Maple Leafs Enforcer Suspended for Illegal Hitting

The Toronto Maple Leafs are known as one of the most productive offensive teams in the NHL, making the inclusion of their enforcer Ryan Reaves a controversial decision. Even if they don’t have superstar captains Auston Matthews available While he’s recovering from injury, the Leafs have little use for Reaves in terms of their offensive scheme.

What Reaves brought Maple Leaves He is an enforcer who can fight and perform bone-crushing body checks. Every time he suits up for the team, you can trust that it’s part of his game. According to a statement made by the NHL Department of Player Safety, Reaves was suspended for five games due to his physical nature when he last joined the roster.

during Maple Leaves In the last contest against the Edmonton Oilers, Reaves tracked down an Edmonton puck carrier as he skated behind his own net. As Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse began skating up ice with the puck, Reaves absolutely buried him with a body check that made primary contact with Nurse’s head. The nurse collapsed in a heap and appeared visibly dazed from the impact. Officials gave Reaves a five-minute match penalty for the hit.

Following the hit, it was announced that Reaves would attend an in-person hearing regarding the game, meaning the Department of Player Safety was interested in suspending at least a few games. Given Reaves’ reputation for being such a physical player and his questionable checking history, there was little doubt that Reaves would receive a lengthy suspension.

This marks the fourth suspension of Reaves’ career. This was his biggest violation and longest suspension; His most previous suspension was just one game in 2020.

Reaves is in his second season with the Maple Leafs. The 893-game veteran played with St. Louis before joining Toronto. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights. He has one assist in 16 games so far this season and averages 7:51 ice time per game.

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