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Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube wasn’t please with the recent ruling from the NHL.

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost forward Bobby McMann for their upcoming matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, as he was suspended for a high-sticking infraction against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.

He was tossed from their recent game against the Lightning when he retaliated for a hit on his teammate Dakota Mermis from Tampa’s Gage Goncalves, as he swung his stick near the head of Bjorkstrand during the ensuing on-ice scrum.

Goncalves was assessed a five-minute major and thrown from the game for his own actions.

McMann earned an ejection and an automatic hearing with the National Hockey League Department of Player Safety, resulting in his one game-ban. Meanwhile, Goncalves escaped discipline for his actions against Mermis.

It’s since been revealed that Mermis will have to miss at least a month with his injury, which naturally upset head coach Craig Berube for the lack of punishment against Goncalves while noting that he didn’t feel McMann’s actions warranted a suspension.

“We lose a guy for probably a month at least,” Berube said. “There’s nothing. And that hurt. I thought it was more of him getting bumped and his stick (came up). I know you gotta be in control of your stick, but I don’t think it’s worth a suspension.”

However, Berube expressed approval over Goncalves’ ejection.

“Well, it is a knee. I think it is a good call, the five-minute major,” Berube said of that penalty.

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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann was ejected from Monday’s game vs. the Lightning

McMann’s ejection took place in the first few minutes of the third period of Monday evening’s game between the Maple Leafs and Lightning at Scotiabank Arena.

Because of his suspension, McMann will forfeit $7,031.25 of his salary, which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

While Goncalves was thrown from the game for his actions against Mermis, there have been no reports of any further supplemental discipline. Meanwhile, Mermis is expected to miss at least the next month with the effects of the injury.

Not only was Berube was particularly frustrated that Goncalves wasn’t suspended, but he also expressed doubt on whether McMann’s ejection was warranted.

“That is a tough one. It really is,” Berube said of McMann’s penalty. “I have to look at it more closely, which I didn’t. From our view on the bench, I couldn’t really see it too well. I’ll take a look at it, but I had a tough time with that, to be honest with you.”

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Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis will miss a month

The Maple Leafs have placed Mermis on Injured Reserve retroactive to December 8 when the injury took place again the Lightning.

In his stead, the Maple Leafs have called up defenseman Henry Thrun from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). Mermis has played 11 games with the Maple Leafs this season and has scored a goal while averaging 13:01 of ice time; he’s also played two games with the Marlies.

So far this season with the Marlies, Thrun has appeared in 19 games in the AHL and has three goals and six assists.

The Leafs are also still without defenseman Chris Tanev, who was placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve.

Michael Whitaker Michael Whitaker is a sports journalist based in metro Detroit with nearly a full decade of experience with publications like Clutch Points and The Hockey News. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Eastern Michigan University. More about Michael Whitaker

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