Multiple Oilers Players Personally Call Out Ryan Reaves For Hit on Darnell Nurse

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Liam McCormick
November 17, 2024 (6:00 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers were visibly shaken up after their teammate Darnell Nurse was injured by a dirty hit from Ryan Reaves, and players were vocal about it in post-game interviews.

Oilers players and Coach Knoblauch openly condemned the hit by Reaves in the post game interviews, admitting that they thought it was a predatory hit and that Reaves should be suspended.

»The game's fast. But you know, just avoid the hit. We're professional athletes. Were able to make those decision quick in our head, and you know when a guy is vulnerable that's one you don't want to see.»
- Adam Henrique

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins followed, and was even more critical towards Reaves for the horrible hit. Nuge continued to say that Player Safety should probably suspend Reaves, and that the Oilers will miss him dearly if he loses time to injury.

Coach Knoblauch struck a more somber tone, saying that it was an illegal hit to the head, but seeming more focused on losing a defenceman that plays over 20 minutes each night.

The NHL Department of Player Safety agreed with the Oilers players that it was a dirty hit by Reaves, and announced a 5 game suspension for the Leafs forward this afternoon.

Oilers fans can be very critical of Nurse for not living up to the value of his $9.25M contract, and that's criticism is often warranted, but the Oilers will be in trouble without Nurse. Edmonton lost 3 NHL defenceman this offseason, making the blue line has been a weak point already.

Nurse has been playing much better as of the last few weeks, too. It's incredibly unfortunate that just as he was building some momentum, this injury will knock him out.

It seems that Darnell Nurse will miss at least a few games with the injury sustained on the play, after the Oilers called up Josh Brown from the AHL to fill in.

There's a significant talent level drop-off from Nurse to Josh Brown, who was cut from the Oilers roster in training camp despite his three year contract. His preseason play really was that bad, but maybe he can bring more with his AHL stint as motivation.

Hopefully Nurse is able to make as quick a recovery as possible. It was a horrifying scene to see him struggle to het up after that monster hit from Reaves, and surely, Nurse will be given a warm welcome when he returns.