Ryan Reaves has been in the spotlight following his controversial hit on Darnell Nurse, which resulted in a five-game suspension from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

The incident sparked considerable debate, particularly due to the unclear reasoning behind the suspension. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs chose to remain quiet on the issue, leaving Reaves unable to publicly comment on the matter. He was forced to accept the suspension without offering a rebuttal.

In contrast, the Edmonton Oilers took a different route, allowing Darnell Nurse to publicly address the hit. Nurse called the hit “pretty obvious” in its intent, providing his own perspective on the play.

Since Ryan Reaves was unable to directly address Darnell Nurse’s comments, his brother, Jordan Reaves, took to social media to defend him.

As reported by David Alter on X, Jordan Reaves responded to Nurse’s remarks:

Ryan Reaves, a 15-season NHL veteran, is renowned for his physical play, toughness, and hard-hitting style, traits that have often resulted in suspensions and contributed to his reputation around the league.

While some may have viewed the hit on Darnell Nurse as excessive, the fairness of the suspension remains up for debate.

However, one thing is clear: the Toronto Maple Leafs could benefit from Reaves’ leadership, grit, and presence sooner rather than later, especially considering the injuries the team has been dealing with in recent days.