Brutal way Ryan Reaves found out about Leafs’ trade revealed!

Late on Thursday evening, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun.

The move ended Reaves’ tenure in Toronto, where, last season, he appeared in 35 games during the regular season, putting up two assists. On trade deadline day, he cleared waivers and the Maple Leafs loaned him to the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League when he ended 2024-25. Entering the final season of a three-year, $4.05 million deal that carries a $1.35 million cap hit, Reaves originally signed with the Leafs in July of 2023. He is now set to play for his seventh NHL team as he enters his 16th season, but in San Jose.

Reaves was in Vegas for a special meet and greet event on Thursday night and found out that the Maple Leafs had shipped him out. He broke the news to reporters that went up to him at the event, telling them he had just been traded.

“They may start hating me pretty soon because I just got traded to the Sharks. We’ll see how that goes with the fans,” Reeves said.

Yeah, not sure that’s a fun way to face Golden Knights’ fans when you’re now a division rival…

Earlier this week, during his appearance on the Cam and Strick podcast, Reaves addresssed his future in the league with a bold statement.

“I still want to play — I’m 83 games away from 1,000 right now, and I’d love to hold on for another two years, hit that mark, and ride into the sunset. I don’t think I’ve got more than two years left, but the dream is always the Stanley Cup. When I first came into the league, I remember telling my wife, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if I hit 100 games?’ Then it was 200, then 500 — and now I’m thinking maybe I chase 1,000. For a player who plays like me, that’d be a pretty cool accomplishment. So, Stanley Cup and 1,000 games — in that order.”

Reaves has been a great leader and has valuable experience in any NHL dressing room, and perhaps that’s just what the young players in San Jose need to get going.