Ex-NHL Players Debate Whether Leafs' Ekman-Larsson Deserved Fine For Reverse Hit

Maple Leafs D-man Oliver Ekman-Larsson was fined $5,000 for a reverse hit on Tampa's Jake Guentzel. But Adam Proteau thinks the hit wasn't excessive and explains why.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was fined $5,000 Tuesday for a “reverse hit” on Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel Monday. 

There was no shortage of observers who landed on both sides of the argument as to whether Ekman-Larsson’s hit was clean or otherwise. The debate led to a broader conversation about whether any reverse hit is legal.

From this writer’s point of view, Ekman-Larsson’s hit was fair, as Guentzel was clearly in his line of sight and chose to skate toward him anyway, and Ekman-Larsson tried to establish position over the puck. Guentzel could’ve pulled up, but that’s not what happened, and what was the alternative – Ekman-Larsson allowing Guentzel to drive him headlong into the boards?

Ekman-Larsson received support from former Maple Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who didn’t see much of anything wrong with the play.

"Fined for reverse hits now? Wow," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Shouldn't have even been a penalty."

However, former NHL center and current analyst Ray Ferraro disagreed with Colaiacovo, saying a reverse hit is interference every time.

"The guy that gets hit doesn't have the puck," he said. "Different if hitter is bracing himself for a hit, but to throw a shoulder into somebody who doesn't have the puck is a penalty."

From our perspective, we're inclined to agree with Colaiacovo. Guentzel was undoubtedly moving toward Ekman-Larsson during the hit, and Ekman-Larsson braced himself for impact. We understand Ferraro’s point of view, but we do believe Ekman-Larsson was bracing himself for a hit, so it is different than a normal interference play. Moreover, Ekman-Larsson didn’t injure Guentzel on the play, and right or wrong, that’s usually the most important information that goes into the NHL’s Department of Player Safety’s supplemental discipline decisions.

A reverse hit is still ultimately only a hit, and Ekman-Larsson’s hit on Guentzel feels like it’s much ado about nothing. The NHL disagreed, but not to the point Ekman-Larsson got suspended, so the legality of reverse hits will be well worth discussing and following in the future.

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