Department of Player Safety Announces Hearing for Maple Leafs Winger Ryan Reaves
Ryan Reaves could be looking at a lengthy suspension after receiving a call from the Department of Player Safety for his hit on Darnell Nurse.
Midway through the second period of Saturday night's 4-3 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers, Reaves was ejected for a dangerous, high hit on Darnell Nurse.
The play occurred in the Oilers zone as Nurse was attempting to skate the puck out from behind the net where he was met by an overly aggressive shoulder from Reaves that sent him spiraling to the ice. A bloodied and very shaken up Nurse was able to get up and leave the ice under his own power, but Reaves still received a match penalty for the hit which comes with an automatic one-game suspension.
Despite checking in on and apologizing to Nurse, who was seen joking with trainers following the game, Reaves was summoned by the NHL's Player Safety Department Sunday morning and will have a hearing later in the day.
Since the hearing is by phone and was not revealed to be in person, Reaves can be suspended for five or less games. Some believe that he's getting off easy.
Reaves has had a much better start to his second season in Toronto, holding an even plus-minus through 16 games compared to his -13 to begin last season.
The 37-year-old has this season and one more remaining on the three-year deal he signed with the Leafs last off-season, which will likely lead him straight into retirement.
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