The Toronto Maple Leafs have bolstered their ahead lineup this offseason and have an opportunity to make a powerful push for his or her first Stanley Cup since 1967. With Max Domi returning on a four-year deal, in addition to Connor Dewar coming again, on high of their robust defensive additions in Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the Maple Leafs have made it clear that they wish to contend for a championship this season. One participant who might discover himself on the skin wanting in as soon as the season will get underway is enforcer Ryan Reaves, who could also be headed for a commerce if he can’t discover his footing and start contributing in his depth position within the Maple Leafs’ backside six this season.
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Reaves signed a three-year contract with the Maple Leafs final summer time and is now getting into the second season of that deal. At 37 years outdated, Reaves was initially introduced in so as to add a bodily facet to their lineup many followers across the league believed they didn’t have. With a median annual worth of $1.35 million on his deal, there was perception the worth was a bit steep for a veteran who’s declining and one in all few pure enforcers left within the NHL. The Maple Leafs took an opportunity on him, however the match hasn’t labored since he joined the crew.
Reaves’ Persona Helps Maple Leafs, However Kids May Breakthrough
Reaves has persistently been seen as one of the crucial entertaining individuals within the NHL, as off the ice he has a comedic character that resonates with followers, and he has all the time been seen as somebody you’ll like to have in your crew however would hate to play towards. Sadly for Reaves, his character and expertise within the NHL haven’t been sufficient to ensure him a spot within the lineup each evening. Final season, Reaves was a wholesome scratch and was saved out of the Maple Leafs’ lineup on quite a few events and it appeared he was being pushed out of the crew by the teaching employees. He ended up showing in 49 video games, recording six factors.
Whereas Reaves is somebody the crew can use once they want some bodily play, it’s secure to imagine he signed with the Maple Leafs as a result of he needed to play and assist contribute towards their purpose of successful a Stanley Cup. With Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann breaking out in a giant means final season, it pushed Reaves additional down the depth chart. Nick Abruzzese, Alex Steeves, and even Nick Robertson will all be trying to take a spot away from Reaves this season out of coaching camp, and with the way in which issues are trending, I’d financial institution on Reaves being the odd man out and the crew’s entrance workplace exploring a commerce.
Regardless of Robertson being granted permission to hunt a commerce, he’ll possible wind up at Maple Leafs; coaching camp and attempt to crack their opening evening roster to show he’s prepared for an NHL job elsewhere. Whereas having robust ahead depth isn’t a foul factor for a crew, it turns into a problem when somebody like Reaves doesn’t wish to sit within the press field as his profession comes close to its finish. He might not have the ability to present robust offensive manufacturing on any given evening, however his management and bodily skill may assist a younger crew going via a rebuild.
With that stated, there are a number of groups who’ve the cash out there to deliver Reaves in and provides him a barely elevated position. The San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Calgary Flames all come to thoughts as golf equipment who may use Reaves in some capability, however there haven’t been any rumblings of a commerce up till this level. On the finish of the day, Reaves should come to coaching camp and earn a spot, or he might have one other powerful season forward of him.
