BREAKING: Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube send strong message to Ryan Reaves Suspension After ‘Dangerous’ Hit Prompts NHL Ban

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expressed disappointment over winger Ryan Reaves’ five-game suspension but acknowledged the NHL’s stance on protecting players from head injuries. The suspension followed a match penalty Reaves received for an illegal check to the head on Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse during Toronto’s 4-3 overtime win on Saturday.

“I think it’s a lot, but the league is going to do what they think is right,” Berube stated on Monday at the Ford Performance Centre. “They’ve taken a hard line on hits to the head. It wasn’t intentional on Reavo’s part, it was just a tough play.”

The Leafs did not practice Monday, and players were unavailable for comment. According to Berube, Reaves is “OK” with processing the suspension, his fourth in the NHL but the first since the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. “He’s upset he let the team down,” Berube said. “But he plays a physical game, and sometimes these things happen. He’s not a dirty player, just a physical one.”

Nurse left the game after the hit, and Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch indicated he could be sidelined for 5-10 days. The Leafs successfully killed off the five-minute penalty and will be without Reaves until December 4 when they face the Nashville Predators.

In Reaves’ absence, Berube has options for reshaping the lineup. Forward Alex Steeves, already on the roster, could see action against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, while the Leafs may also consider recalling a forward from the Toronto Marlies, though that would require a roster adjustment.

When asked about promoting Fraser Minten from the Marlies, Berube noted, “There’s value in letting him develop more with the Marlies. We’ll consider what’s best for him and the team.”