Ryan Reaves Time in the Toronto Maple Leafs Lineup Seemingly Coming to a Quick End
PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
January 10, 2025 (6:27 PM)
The Toronto Maple Leafs inked Ryan Reaves to a multi-year deal in 2023, but now his time in their lineup is seemingly done according to a top Leafs reporter.
This season has gone incredibly well for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and even after their recent loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, they remain in first place in the Atlantic Division.
However, there's one major part of this lineup that the team haven't managed to find consistency on, with the team trying time and time again to get veteran Ryan Reaves into a regular spot in their lineup.
They did so again recently against the Philadelphia Flyers, but after Reaves once again didn't drop the gloves (his only purpose on the team), Sportsnet reporter Michael Amato has seemingly signalled that this could be the end of his time in Toronto.
«Reaves was inserted into the lineup for the rematch with the Flyers on Tuesday, where one assumed a scrap with Hathaway would be inevitable. Nothing materialized, though, other than a brief verbal exchange between Reaves and Hathaway near the benches. This is the other issue with Reaves' role: he's reliant on someone from the opposition to oblige him for a fight. There are very few Ryan Reaves' left in the NHL at this point and he doesn't have many counterparts around to square off with.»
While Reaves' intimidation factor can still add plenty to the Maple Leafs lineup, without fighting he just isn't playing at a consistent enough level, and it may cost him his role.
«It's going to become increasingly challenging to insert Reaves into the lineup, even for a coach like Craig Berube, who scratched and clawed his way to 1,000 games in this league playing a similar role to Reaves. In today's NHL, every player's performance has to justify their salary and the percentage of the cap they occupy, and there really isn't an argument with enough merit to make for Reaves.»
With great depth on their roster, the Leafs can make do with Reaves as their No. 13 forward, so expect that to continue this season, but moving forward after 2024/25, big changes are likely on the way.
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