The reasons for Morgan Rielly’s suspension and the defense player for the Maple Leafs’ future
The head coach Sheldon Keefe stated on Monday, “We spent a lot of time watching pretty much every cross-check that’s happened in the last number of years, and the ones that I thought were similar in nature to Morgan’s were nothing close to requiring that.” However, I believe that there is a pattern of things that have happened in Toronto and with the Leafs that get greater notice and excitement and that often result in something like this.
“In light of that, I am not shocked.”
It was an indication of simmering frustration behind the scenes, given the measures the organization usually takes to keep above the fray and avoid comments along the lines of a bulletin board.
Rielly will be heard on Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET in the NHL’s New York office. Too bad it won’t be captured on camera for public viewing.
When the bus left Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night, the Leafs had no idea that their best defenceman may be out for up to two weeks.
Greig’s slap shot into an empty goal to seal Ottawa’s 5-3 victory left Riley fuming, believing his side had been treated unfairly. With only a few seconds remaining, he gave Greig a cross-check to the head that was strong enough to take him off his feet. He was then expelled.
“I believe it was definitely worthy of a response,” said forward Austin Matthews of the Leafs. “By all means, Morgan is not a dishonest player or someone with bad intentions. I believe that him contacting Grieg was inevitable; someone had to do it, especially following a performance of that caliber.
“I don’t think it’s really necessary to compete for the hardest shot into the net down there.”
After cross-checking Ridly Greig, Morgan Rielly was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct punishment. (Photography by Chris Tanouye, Freestyle, Getty Images)
Rielly has never received further discipline before, and Greig didn’t seem to be hurt during the play. He participated fully in Monday’s Senators practice.
If Rielly’s disciplinary hearing had been conducted over the phone, the NHL Department of Player Safety would not have been allowed to impose a punishment greater than five games. It was evident from the fact that they gave him the choice of an in-person hearing that George Parros’ organization is inclined toward something more extensive.
The seasoned forward for the Leafs, Ryan Reaves, stated, “To be honest, I thought it was going to be fine.” Maybe a fine or suspension from the game. To be honest with you, though, I don’t even think there would have been a fine since I come from a different age of hockey.
“Perhaps the other child received a call telling him to “smarten up.”
The following considerations will decide how long Rielly is out of the Leafs lineup as he prepares for his hearing in New York:
How is the procedure carried out?
It’s noteworthy that Rielly chose to accept the NHL’s invitation for a face-to-face meeting. To argue his case, he will go to New York accompanied by J.P. Barry, of CAA Hockey, members of the Leafs’ management, and representatives of the NHL Players’ Association.
Many players, like Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron, who was penalized six games for cross-checking in December, have chosen to undergo “in-person” hearings remotely via Zoom since the COVID outbreak.
Rielly is going to add a more intimate touch.
The fact that his cross-check was given after the play and after a goal rather than during regular game action is thought to be the major factor working against him. It is anticipated that he will make an effort to clarify to Parros his thoughts while pursuing Grieg and how the play escaped him.
“Morgan simply stated that he didn’t intend for it to appear or proceed the way it did, but he’s traveling (to New York) to demonstrate that he won’t be letting it go easily,” Keefe added.
For cross-checking violations, the NHL Department of Player Safety has imposed a variety of penalties in recent years. These have included a one-game suspension for Edmonton’s Alex Chiasson in 2021, a four-game suspension for Pittsburgh’s Eugeni Malkin in 2022, and a six-game ban for Perron.
Player safety may decide not to award Rielly six games or more during the in-person hearing, but it is still within its rights to do so.
For both the Leafs, who are still fighting for a postseason spot, and Rielly, who stands to lose more than $39,000 in salary each game if he is ultimately punished, every game he can play to shorten his suspension is crucial.
It is impossible to avoid drawing parallels with the Perron affair. He challenged NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s six-game penalty, but it was upheld. This summer, he will take the matter to an impartial arbiter.
Instead of cross-checking Senators defenceman Artem Zub in the side of the head, Perron might have chosen to defend an injured teammate, according to Bettman’s decision.
“He had the option to attack, push, jab, or even take off his gloves, but he refrained from doing so. He might have still received punishment if he had taken a different course of action to stand by his buddy, but the incident might have concluded without further punishment, according to Bettman.
