Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs punish Ryan Reaves following his five-game suspension

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Tom Banks
November 19, 2024 (5:41 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs saw Ryan Reaves get suspended for five games recently, and now he's been banned from talking to the media about the situation.

During a Saturday night clash with the Edmonton Oilers, forward Ryan Reaves took out Darnell Nurse with a brutal hit, leaving him bloodied and concussed, with Reaves ultimately being suspended five games for the act.

Since the hit, the veteran forward has come under immense criticism, especially given that he offers very little beyond his physicality, and if he can't even do that within the laws of the NHL, it's hard to see where he fits into the league today.

General Manager Brad Treliving however insists that it wasn't a dirty play and Reaves isn't a dirty player, and rather than No. 75 simply got it wrong in the moment.

"First of all, you never want to see anybody injured and it was one of those where there's no doubt in my mind, there's no intent on Ryan's part. He's going in to make a hit. It's a hockey play that goes wrong, right?

"I'm not going to sit here and bicker about the game here and there. Like I said, at no point do I think Ryan had any intent for that to happen. It didn't end up the way we wanted to, and I understand the league's position."

That doesn't mean the team is happy with Reaves however, as he was reportedly set to talk to the media on Tuesday after practice before the organization stepped in and stopped him from commenting on the situation.

According to reports, Reaves was eager to clear up his position after what happened, with the team swiftly stepping in and not giving him that opportunity, something that Reaves would no doubt enjoy.

Ultimately, it was a tough situation of Reaves' own making, and he thoroughly deserves all the criticism that's being sent his way, but for now, we'll have to wait to see what he says about it when he is finally allowed.