Toronto Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews took the ice for the club's optional morning skate on Saturday. But when will he return to game action? The NHL's Department of Player Safety has issued a five-game suspension to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves for his illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse during Saturday’s game. In a two-minute video explaining the decision [https://www.nhl.com/video/topic/player-safety/reaves-suspended-five-games-6364833029112], the Department of Player Safety (DOPS) outlined three main points for imposing the maximum five-game suspension allowed under a regular hearing. They emphasized that the head was the principal point of contact and detailed how Reaves’ actions violated league rules. "First, the head is clearly the main point of contact, as Reaves' shoulder makes direct and forceful contact with Nurse's head, and it is the head that absorbs the vast majority of the force. Second, the head contact on this check is avoidable. Reaves mistimes this play, choosing an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Nurse, missing his core and making his head the main point of contact. And while we understand that Nurse is in the process of playing the puck, he does not materially change the position of his head or body just prior to contact in a way that contributes to the head being the main point of contact.” [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPgaMBreDZk[/embed] Another factor contributing to the suspension’s length was the injury sustained by Nurse as a result of the hit. Lastly, DOPS highlighted Reaves’ discipline history, noting that he has been suspended three times and fined twice in the past. Among these incidents, Reaves was suspended for boarding Matt Tennyson in 2017, an illegal check to the head of Filip Hronek in 2021, and fined twice for dangerous plays in prior seasons. Because the suspension falls in the four games or more category, Reaves has the option to appeal the decision. If he chooses to do so, the appeal will be heard by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. If no appeal is filed, Reaves will be ineligible to return until December 4, when the Maple Leafs host the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Arena. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Reaves will forfeit $35,156.25. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
