3 NHL players on Santa's naughty list for Christmas 2024 ft. Matt Rempe

The NHL is on a Christmas break for a couple of days as players get to rest and spend time with their families over the holidays.

Yet, some NHL players will be on Santa's naughty list for their actions on and off the ice.

3 NHL players on Santa's naughty list

#1, Matt Rempe

New York Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe was suspended eight games for a hit on Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen.

It was Rempe's second suspension, but he has been ejected from several games.

“It’s tough. It’s a big number for a suspension,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said about the suspension announced on Sunday, via Newsday. “I think you constantly learn, especially him in the way he plays the game. We’ll keep working with him as well. He’s an important part of our team, and he brings a lot to the table.”

Rempe has had plenty of dirty hits in his 22-game NHL career, so he finds himself on the naughty list.

#2, Ryan Reaves

Ryan Reaves was suspended for a hit on Darnell Nurse - Source: Imagn

Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves is a physical player who plays with an edge.

However, Reaves hit Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse in the head on Nov. 16 . It was a dirty hit that resulted in a five-game suspension. After the hit, Reaves said it's his job to inflict pain.

“Even if you put yourself in a bad spot, there is lots of body on a six-foot-four hockey player to hit,” Nurse said on Nov. 21, via Sportsnet. “Not one piece was touched, other than my head. You can argue about the intent,” he added. “But there are certain guys in the league that — every shift they go out there — they go out to try and inflict pain. I think it’s pretty obvious what’s going on there.”

After Nurse's comments, Reaves fired back on Dec. 3, saying it is his job to inflict as much pain on opponents as possible.

"The only truth that he spoke was I go out there to inflict pain," Reaves said, via TSN. "That's a fact and that's not going to stop, but I'm going to continue to do it legally. Yeah, I'm going to keep playing hard if not harder now, and I'm going to keep burying guys."

Reaves' comments and hit earns him a spot on the naughty list.

#3, Tanner Jeannot

Only five players have been suspended in the 2024-25 NHL season as it's been a pretty good start to the year.

However, Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot is the final player on the naughty list for his illegal hit to the head of Brock Boeser. The hit knocked Boeser out indefinitely due to the hit.