Ryan Reaves delivers brutal open-ice hit on Detroit Red Wings' Filip Hronek with defenseman injured

Minnesota Wild's Ryan Reaves sent Filip Hronek into another dimension on Wednesday night with a brutal hit on his Detroit opponent. 

Known for his smash mouth play, Reaves added another collector's item to his showreel, pulverizing an unsuspecting Hronek in the first period with scores tied at 0-0. 

The Red Wings defenseman was carrying the puck into the neutral zone before Reaves delivered the heavy blow.

There was an audible gasp around the Xcel Energy Center as Hronek hit the ice with veracity. 

Minnesota Wild's Ryan Reaves sent Filip Hronek into another dimension on Wednesday night

Twitter remained split as to whether it was a dirty play or if the victim, Hronek, should have shown greater awareness. 

Former Red Wings champion, Darren McCarty tweeted in support of the hit but criticized an inconsistent approach to head-high contact by the NHL, implying it should not go unpenalized under current NHL adjudication. 

'Clean hit in my day. Reaves doesn’t do anything but his job and destroys Hronek. Being a smaller player and leaning forward in the middle of the ice makes you a [target].

'That’s Clean and Accepted. In 1995 My issue is with @NHL because because I WAS TOLD THEY CARED about headshots.'

Former NHL players and commentators differed on whether the hit was in fact a fair action

Hockey writer Jeff Veillette had a contrasting perspective, shocked at observers who felt it was fair game.

'Floored by how many "perfect clean hit" replies are in here already I know some people are desperate to protect a prior era of hockey but Reaves drives straight through Hronek's face here,' Veillette wrote. 

'If you can't admit that this isn't safe then you're watching for blood lust, not the game.' 

Reaves also laid the wood on Red Wing's Ben Chiarot defenseman before they threw punches

Hronek left the ice following the incident and did not return to the game. The check was not called for a penalty with Reaves able to play on. 

He continued to inflict further damage throughout the game, laying the wood on Ben Chiarot before the pair threw punches.

Minnesota Wild went on to win their third straight game as they took care of Detroit 4-1.  

Fans also disagreed on whether Reaves should have faced punishment for laying out Hronek