Ryan Reaves Exposes the Maple Leafs for Cheating the League
Ryan Reaves has been out of the lineup for the Leafs since December 14th when he injured his knee. However, the 37-year-old made a shocking claim today that could have implications on his future with the team.
Reaves Claims He was Healthy Enough To Play Weeks Ago
The enforcer said in an interview with Sportsnet reporter Luke Fox that he has been ready to play for a couple of weeks. Despite this, the team has kept him on injured reserve, skirting around the league's rules with regards to roster structure and the cap.
«Yeah, I've been ready for a couple weeks now,» Reaves said. That's a question for them. I am not in those rooms, in those conversations. I'm not going to speculate anything. Just stay ready. And if I get called upon, I do. If I don't, I get my work in.»
Head coach Sheldon Keefe effectively danced around the question when he was asked about Reaves's injury. He seemed to indicate that the player is not ready to return to the lineup, but he didn't provide any specific reasons why he couldn't play.
Notably though, the team has not moved him to LTIR, despite the fact that he's been out for over a month. What makes this especially relevant is the fact that the league would be required to file specific paperwork to the league detailing his status to make the move.
The NHL policy for players to be on regular IR differs from the process of placing them on LTIR. Regular IR comes down to a decision from just the individual club's medical staff per their medical standards. LTIR requires a form submitted to the league that is signed by the player and the team doctor. It's more closely policed due to salary cap ramifications.
This could mean that the team is intentionally holding Reaves back knowing fully well that he is as healthy as he is ever going to be. The team won't be able to put this off forever though, as they signed him to a three-year deal in the offseason, a move questioned by many.
Reaves has been by far the worst player on the Leafs in the limited times he has gotten into the lineup. In 21 games he has just 1 goal, a deflection against the 31st place Chicago Blackhawks. He is also a -11 despite getting just 7:20 of ice time per game. All of this seems to indicate that the team is looking for ways to keep him off the active roster. Perhaps waivers may even be in his future.
As seen on Ryan Reaves insists he has been healthy for weeks despite Maple Leafs keeping him on injured reserve
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JANVIER 22 | 243 ANSWERS Ryan Reaves Exposes the Maple Leafs for Cheating the League Do you think Reaves will play in the NHL again? | ||
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