Ryan Reaves demoted by the Toronto Maple Leafs: the real reason has been revealed
Ryan Reaves is one of the toughest players in the National Hockey League, but in his stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, questions have arisen about if he is still good enough to play in the league.
It feels as if that question was answered during the Toronto Maple Leafs' opening night matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, where the team was shutout for the first time since November 2021.
Ryan Reaves is on the team for one reason and one reason only - at this stage in his career, all he can do is fight. With the Montreal Canadiens' young budding enforcer Arber Xhekaj having had a fun time in the pre-season, punching Cédric Paré to the back of the head after he injured superstar Patrik Laine, there was the expectation Ryan Reaves would get even. Unfortunately, he didn't, and it was noticed.
Not only did Reaves not try to fight Xhekaj, he shied away from a fight when the opportunity arose.
Georges Laraque, a former NHL enforcer commented, calling Ryan Reaves out for not being brave enough to fight The Sheriff, who went from being undrafted to an NHL lineup at 21 years old.
Newly minted Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube certainly noticed, scratching Ryan Reaves in favour of Bobby McMann for the team's game last night. With McMann having had a great performance, it is unlikely he'll be coming out of the lineup any time soon.
While many already knew it at the time of its signing, the Ryan Reaves contract handed out by GM Brad Treliving looks to be a clunker - especially if he is too afraid to fight a 23 year old.
