Rielly suspended 5 games -- Appeal Denied

[Dreakmur]

3 seems like the number, but I expect a Leafs tax ontop

What’s the most recent comparable? This wasn’t just a regular cross-check that got away from Rielly during the normal course of play.

 

[BertCorbeau]

There was a slow motion angle I saw on Twitter that showed it deflect off Greig’s glove after he sticks his hand out. Anyone have that clip?

I didn’t see a slo mo but there is an angle that shows Grieg got his hand up and his fingers brushed the stick. But it didn’t significantly alter the path of the crosscheck

Mo probably went for the should but missed. Grieg also ducked on the play

 

[BertCorbeau]

What’s the most recent comparable? This wasn’t just a regular cross-check that got away from Rielly during the normal course of play.

Perron?

 

[Joseph Nathan]

I think that it'll be 2 games and nothing more and that is too much for an appropriate response to a player showing up your team. It had to be done or fans of every team would say that the Leafs should've done something and are a weak, soft team.

In person hearings means the options to suspend for 5 games or more. So he already has 5, this is to determine whether it’s more

 

[BertCorbeau]

Actually 6 seems the most plausible with the Perron suspension as a comp

 

[hoglund]

In person hearings means the options to suspend for 5 games or more. So he already has 5, this is to determine whether it’s more

I didn't know that, 5 games seems to be way too harsh, but maybe they're using him as an example. How many games is Greig getting for instigating the event?

 

[GoonieFace]

I would like to see more than just a fine for show-boating. I even dislike over the top goal celebrations (which sometimes Matthews is guilty of). I appreciate that there is a fine (and fuzzy) line between celebrating and being disrespectful, but a slap shot into an empty net from five feet out is completely unnecessary and is deserving of punishment from the league.

It’s pro sports, if players feelings get hurt because of a slap shot into an empty net, than find another line of work. Should a player get punched in the face for doing it, absolutely, but a fine? Come on

 

[ACC1224]

Was reading through the thread on the Sens board. I get supporting your team but sometimes you have to be honest with yourself. Perhaps it’s just that the majority of their fan base just doesn’t understand the game very well.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I chirp in once in awhile since I don't watch the team this year for the first time in my lifetime really outside of a few barometer games to reaffirm my opinion. I don't have faith that this team is a playoff contender (though Domi, Bertuzzi and Reaves should add to their playoff-style needs) and my free time is too precious to be excessively invested in the same gang.

What Reilly did was excessive and will be suspendable. It probably wasn't his intent and it was partially accidental. It would have been more appropriate to drop his gloves or push him into the boards and have a heated conversation rather than to crosscheck his head, accident or not.

What also isn't acceptable is a player who takes a slapshot like that at the end of a hard fought game He should have expected a response. You don't insult another team when you have sealed the win. You don't poke a bear. He probably assumed he was poking a kitten as that is the Leafs reputation, Reilly overcompensated for the Leafs soft reputation in that moment. Also, I am told the refs let way too much go which had to have contributed to the animosity.

Unfortunately, as bad as it sounds; if the Leafs are going to find some internal fire in their belly, from a teams long term success perspective, Reillys response was better than NO response at all. This is my assessment from a meta-game standpoint, it isn't a judgement of right or wrong. Yes, I know it sounds bad, and he should have just dropped the gloves, but imagine if he would have just skated back to the locker room?


He was frustrated. In the moment he responded to what he probably saw as a punk kid mocking his jersey He should throw a few more legal hits in the game and maybe that fire will burn during the playoffs when they need it most.

 

[Dreakmur]

In person hearings means the options to suspend for 5 games or more. So he already has 5, this is to determine whether it’s more

He doesn’t already have 5. As you said, the in person hearing simply opens the option to go beyond 5. There have been multiple instances of a hearing resulting in fewer than 5 games.

 

[Evilhomer]

It’s pro sports, if players feelings get hurt because of a slap shot into an empty net, than find another line of work. Should a player get punched in the face for doing it, absolutely, but a fine? Come on

It's why the NFL penalizes show-boating.

 

[GoonieFace]

It’s a polarizing topic for sure. In youth competitive sports I hear parents whining when their team is getting pummellled. Should kids let up because they are winning? Or is it more embarrassing if you stop trying? To me, you play hard till the end no matter what the score.

Taking a slap shot at a net is not illegal, maybe a little greasy, but the outrage is a little much. Does Greig deserved to get punched? Probably, but maybe the Leafs can show this type of passion during the game, or when their teammates get injured.

 

[Stephen]

Yea, well, now it might cost Rielly a ton of money and the Leafs maybe a playoff spot. Don’t know it was an appropriate response. Leafs need to do some reflection and think why they don’t get much respect around the league.

On the other hand it would be kind of funny for the NHL to lose $10’s of millions in lost Leaf playoff revenue because they let their player safety thug run player discipline with a vendetta against the most profitable team in the league.

Might be an interesting meeting there between the 32 owners, some of the revenue sharing teams and Gary explaining who the eff George Parros even is.

 

[LeafsFan89]

On the other hand it would be kind of funny for the NHL to lose $10’s of millions in lost Leaf playoff revenue because they let their player safety thug run player discipline with a vendetta against the most profitable team in the league.

Might be an interesting meeting there between the 32 owners, some of the revenue sharing teams and Gary explaining who the eff George Parros even is.

I think they're more focused on expanding in the US/trying to make this a US centric game than caring about the Leafs.

 

[Cams]

It’s a polarizing topic for sure. In youth competitive sports I hear parents whining when their team is getting pummellled. Should kids let up because they are winning? Or is it more embarrassing if you stop trying? To me, you play hard till the end no matter what the score.

Taking a slap shot at a net is not illegal, maybe a little greasy, but the outrage is a little much. Does Greig deserved to get punched? Probably, but maybe the Leafs can show this type of passion during the game, or when their teammates get injured.

Yes, you play hard no matter what the score. No, taking a slap shot isn't illegal, but skating all by yourself from what...the centre ice line all the way and then winding up for the big slapper at the crease is a garbage move. It's showboating. Maybe do this in house league, but not the NHL. Greig should known better. Why not pull some between the legs one handed deke next time......just as bad.

 

[RunItBackAgain]

At the end of the day we take whatever he gets (after appealing) and are happy we got a response at all from anyone.

I’m very interested to see who can step up and run with it on D. Maybe this is a blessing in a small way and some of our D gain some confidence in themselves and (please god) hit another level.

 

[Brad C]

I wish he dropped the gloves and pummeled him but greig would’ve probably turtled instantly

I would have liked to see that to and would have kept atleats one linesman busy .The leafs other than Domi did not have guys out there that would defend themselves.

Sens could have easily taken advantage, leafs come off the bench?

Could have been a different story.

 

[Stephen]

I think they're more focused on expanding in the US/trying to make this a US centric game than caring about the Leafs.

Well, their march into new and indifferent US markets is also subsidized by a lot of Leafs dollars so it’s time for MLSE to flex.

Unless Bell and Rogers are playing nice to get Toronto II one day.

 

[Peasy]

Another fun zero suspension incident lol

 

[rumman]

It’s a polarizing topic for sure. In youth competitive sports I hear parents whining when their team is getting pummellled. Should kids let up because they are winning? Or is it more embarrassing if you stop trying? To me, you play hard till the end no matter what the score.

Taking a slap shot at a net is not illegal, maybe a little greasy, but the outrage is a little much. Does Greig deserved to get punched? Probably, but maybe the Leafs can show this type of passion during the game, or when their teammates get injured.

You keep making this point, and I keep pushing my like button. Too many homer’s in this forum. It was a classless action, no doubt about it, but Rielly shouldn’t of used his stick………

 

[The Magic Man]

I love that he reacted, just wish he had dropped the mitts instead of a headshot.

This is exactly how I feel. Drop the mitts and stick and bust his teeth in. It wouldn’t have been more then 5 for fighting and 2 for instigator. In the end it looked like Rielly took a worse beating. His nose looked broken. He should’ve suckered him. Maybe next year they do. Players won’t forget. They better not.

 

[kevsh]

I'm not expert on what Parros is going to take into consideration (or ever does), but I think what will hurt Reilly is that it was a "non-hockey action" after play was dead.

Unlike, for example, Matthews' "heat of the moment"/instinctual response to being cross-checked to the back by Dahlin as Auston was trying to set up in front of the Sabres' net.

So any comparable incident that took place while the play was on isn't likely a fair measuring stick in terms of the suspension. Rather a closer comparison - bare with me a second here - would be Dale Hunter on Pierre Turgeon. That was also an attack on an unsuspecting player skating away from the net after scoring. Though in Reilly's case it wasn't anywhere near as vicious or uncalled for (I don't believe Turgeon was showboating or anything, it was just Hunter being a hothead who completely lost his mind for a moment.)

What is potentially on Reilly's side as others have said is that it appears Morgan's stick made contact with Greig's shoulder pad first so not a direct head shot. Though my hunch is that factor won't change the outcome much.

So I do think he gets 5, maybe 6.

 

[rumman]

On the other hand it would be kind of funny for the NHL to lose $10’s of millions in lost Leaf playoff revenue because they let their player safety thug run player discipline with a vendetta against the most profitable team in the league.

Might be an interesting meeting there between the 32 owners, some of the revenue sharing teams and Gary explaining who the eff George Parros even is.

I don’t buy into this narrative that the Leafs are targeted by Parros or by the reffing in the games, life isn’t fair, stop whining about missed calls. I don’t have a pie chart or fancy graph to prove it, but it probable all evens out in the wash………

At the end of the day we take whatever he gets (after appealing) and are happy we got a response at all from anyone.

I’m very interested to see who can step up and run with it on D. Maybe this is a blessing in a small way and some of our D gain some confidence in themselves and (please god) hit another level.

This is some @Evilhomer optimisms right here folks……….

 

[Stephen]

I don’t buy into this narrative that the Leafs are targeted by Parros or by the reffing in the games, life isn’t fair, stop whining about missed calls. I don’t have a pie chart or fancy graph to prove it, but it probable all evens out in the wash………

Parros comes down pretty hard on the Leafs with harsh suspensions. Kadri is an example. Then Spezza. Now Rielly. Matthews. It’s not like there aren’t instances of these kind of plays all the time either.

 

[Dreakmur]

Another fun zero suspension incident lol

Rielly should have done that instead of use his stick….