Toronto Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly to appeal five-game suspension

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly is set to appeal his five-game suspension to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Wednesday.

Rielly was handed the sentence just minutes before the start of Toronto’s 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.

Leafs GM Brad Treliving was set to speak to the media on Wednesday afternoon to address the suspension, but the team has canceled the availability.

Since Rielly’s suspension was under six games, appealing to Bettman was Rielly’s only option to lower his suspension. The NHLPA is in charge of filing the appeal on behalf of players and is expected to do so later today.

Rielly was suspended after cross-checking Ottawa Senators Ridly Greig in the head in the final seconds of Saturday’s game. The Maple Leafs defenseman was offered an in-person hearing at the league offices in New York, and was planning on making the trip. However, the bad weather across the northeast of the United States forced the 29-year-old to attend virtually.

In 50 games this season, the 2012 fifth-overall pick has scored seven goals and 36 assists. In his 769-game NHL career, the former Moose Jaw Warrior has posted 80 goals and 377 assists, registering 37 points in 50 playoff games.

Rielly had never previously been suspended before Tuesday’s ruling.

Rielly participated in practice with the Leafs on Wednesday, skating in place of William Nylander on the first line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.