BREAKING: Maple Leafs’ Ryan Reaves gets 5-game suspension and fine for illegal check to the head of Oilers’ Nurse
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has been handed a five-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the suspension Sunday, following a hearing with Reaves. This is Reaves’ fourth career suspension, his third for a hit, and he will forfeit $35,156.25 in salary. He is eligible to return on December 4, when the Leafs play the Nashville Predators.
The incident took place in the second period of Saturday’s game between the Leafs and Oilers. Nurse was carrying the puck behind the net when Reaves delivered a hard shoulder hit directly to Nurse’s head, leaving Nurse bloodied on the ice. He was helped off by training staff and did not return to the game. Reaves received a five-minute major and match penalty.
The Department of Player Safety explained the suspension in a video, noting that “Reaves closes in on Nurse 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.” They added that Nurse’s head positioning did not materially change before the hit, making it avoidable on Reaves’ part. The suspension length reflects the illegal contact to Nurse’s head, resulting injury, and Reaves’ previous suspensions.
Following Edmonton’s 4-3 overtime loss, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch had no update on Nurse’s condition. Nurse, a vital part of the Oilers’ defensive core, has tallied two goals and nine points over 18 games this season, while logging nearly 21 minutes per game. Losing him would create a gap in Edmonton’s blue line, potentially requiring players like Travis Dermott, Brett Kulak, or Ty Emberson to step into larger roles.
Reaves has seen limited ice time with the Leafs this season, averaging 7:51 minutes per game across 16 appearances. Edmonton forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins commented on the hit, calling it a “dangerous play” and adding, “[Reaves] has got to know that Nursey doesn’t see him coming and choose the right path there, and he doesn’t. It’s tough to see one of your teammates on the ice like that.”