Ryan Reaves' Family Goes After Darnell Nurse in Social Media Comment For Calling Out the Leafs Forward

When Darnell Nurse spoke to the media for the first time since the hit, the Oilers defenceman denied Reaves apology and indirectly argued that Reaves had intent to injure him.

Ryan Reaves' brother, Jordan, commented on an Instagram post discussing Nurse's comments, and stirred the pot by saying Nurse had his head down.

While Darnell Nurse did put himself in a vulnerable position, which he himself admitted, the onus is still completely on Reaves not to deliver a predatory hit.

The NHL Department of Player Safety rightfully decided to give Reaves a harsh suspension of 5 games for the hit. Then, there was significant debate among NHL fans if the hit warranted a 5 game suspension.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety stepped up yesterday in response, providing a clear explanation of why Reaves' check against Nurse was an illegal hit to the head.

The comment from Jordan Reaves is pretty much expected as a defence of his brother, but it's clear that he has no idea what he's talking about - and it may give Nurse some extra motivation next time Edmonton plays Toronto.

At the end of the day, Nurse's criticism of Ryan Reaves is correct, and it's why pure enforcers have no place in the NHL anymore.

Reaves was looking to do his job and inflict pain on his opponent, and that may be something the league needs to move past as a whole.