No love for Reavo.
When he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs, veteran forward Ryan Reaves received loads of criticism. And it does not look like anything has changed since he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. Even in the preseason…
On Wednesday night, as the Sharks faced the visiting Anaheim Ducks, a video of Reaves went viral as the veteran forward seemed eager to show younger guys how to bring on the pain.
In the video, Reaves is seen brutally shoving a young Ducks player into the boards during the first period of the contest, in what many fans are calling a dirty play by the enforcer.
Reaves was not penalized for his shove, but he just heard it from the fanbase on social media since.
“I mean that’s an interference penalty…checks out from someone like him with 0 skill though,” wrote one fan.
“Interference? Boarding? Doesn’t matter. Dirty hit from the dirtiest of players. League will be better when he’s gone,” another commented.
Not too long ago, Reaves, whose play was often the subject of criticism from pundits and fans when he did play, revealed he felt that he was walking on eggshells in Toronto with one mistake potentially costing him several games each time.
Even when he did play well for the Maple Leafs last season, the highly respected enforcer felt he didn’t receive a fair shake.
Reaves was traded earlier summer in a transaction 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 is 83 games away from 1,000 right now, and he wants to reach that milestone. But for that, he’ll have to make sure he does not play too dirty and get suspended.
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