Ex-Leafs enforcer drops snarky comment on Ryan Reaves' probable treatment for Max Pacioretty-like hit on Jack Hughes

Former Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Jay Rosehill shared his thoughts regarding Ryan Reaves' treatment had he delivered a hit like Max Pacioretty did on Jack Hughes.

During the second period of the Leafs-Devils game on Tuesday, Pacioretty delivered a huge hit to Hughes, who was stationary while picking up a loose puck. Pacioretty steamrolled over Hughes, and although the hit looked severe, it was deemed legal, resulting in no call.

Jack Hughes was fine after the hit and continued the game. On "The Leafsnation" podcast, Rosehill pointed out that if Reaves had made the same hit, there would have been a lot of scrutiny and discussion about it.

"It's not like it was Revo that did it, you know. But I would be surprised, or I would be curious to know, say that was Reavo. Let's say that's Reavo, right? Exact same bloody thing. They would be dissecting the ever-living sh*t out of that thing, trying to see if any amount of elbow caught his helmet.

"Oh my God, it would be, I don't think it's fair in that sense, when a heavy hitter, a guy with a reputation for playing a real pugilistic style of hockey. When he does something, it's dissected with a magnifying glass."

Rosehill added that if Max Pacioretty goes and lays a big hit, everyone just thinks of the hit as nice and clean. However, he finds it frustrating that when Reaves does the same thing, people react differently.

"Great hit by Pacioretty on their star. I mean, all night long, you want to bring that shit. No penalty called on the play, which is what I was most impressed with," he added.

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Toronto Maple Leafs HC opens up about Max Pacioretty's hit on Jack Hughes

Leafs coach Craig Berube shared his thoughts on Max Pacioretty's hit on Jack Hughes, emphasizing the need for physicality against a team like the New Jersey Devils.

"We finally got some contact on somebody, which is good. If you are not going to take the body on this team and let them skate around all night, you are in trouble. It pumps guys up. It is a good, clean hit. We needed it," Berube said.

Jack Hughes has racked up 38 points through 12 goals and 26 assists in 32 games this season. The Devils host the LA Kings at Prudential Center next on Thursday, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.