Maple Leafs coach Berube makes first comments on Reaves suspension

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Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube isn’t thrilled that he won’t have winger Ryan Reaves for the next five games.

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Berube, though, understands where the National Hockey League was coming from when it announced a five-game suspension for Reaves on Sunday afternoon.

The punishment was levied after Reaves was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head when he hit Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse in the second period of the Leafs’ 4-3 overtime win on Saturday.

“I think it’s a lot, but the league is going to do what they think is the right thing to do,” Berube said on Monday at the Ford Performance Centre. “I get it. They’ve come down hard on hits to the head. It’s not like Reavo tried to hit him in the head. It was a tough play.”

The Leafs didn’t practise on Monday, and no players were made available to media. Berube said Reaves is doing “OK” in processing the banishment.

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It’s the fourth time Reaves has been suspended by the NHL and the first time since the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.

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“He’s upset that he put his team down,” Berube said. “But at the same time, (with) his type of game, sometimes things happen. It’s not like he’s a dirty player. He’s a clean player, in my opinion, for his role. There was no intention of him doing that. It just happened.”

Nurse departed the game after the hit and did not return. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday it’s likely that Nurse would be out “5-10 days.”

The Leafs were able to kill off the five-minute penalty.

Reaves had taken just four minors in 15 games before the incident on Saturday. He won’t be eligible to return the Leafs lineup until Dec. 4 at home against the Nashville Predators, so Berube has some time to tinker with his lineup.

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The Leafs could use forward Alex Steeves, already with the team, against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday and beyond. They also could recall another forward from the Toronto Marlies, but would have to waive a player to do so.

Would Berube like to have a look at Fraser Minten?

“There’s benefit to letting him play (more with the Marlies),” Berube said. “We have to look at what’s best for us, and then what’s best for him. We’ll see what happens.

“We might need another guy. It’s a conversation we’re going to have (later on Monday).”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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