Former Toronto Maple Leafs player Ryan Reaves recently expressed his frustrations regarding his departure from the team and the handling of his situation by management. During an interview at Scotiabank Arena, he reflected on his time with the Leafs and the abrupt end to his relationship with the franchise.
Reaves’ Departure from the Maple Leafs
Reaves, known for his toughness and leadership qualities, was traded to the San Jose Sharks after two inconsistent seasons with the Maple Leafs. General Manager Brad Treliving made the decision to deal Reaves for young defenseman Henry Thrun, who made his Leafs debut shortly after the trade.
Frustrations with Management
Ryan Reaves voiced concerns about the manner in which he was treated during the 2025 trade deadline. He mentioned feeling sidelined and suggested that Treliving could have communicated more openly regarding his status. At that point, Reaves was waived to clear salary cap space for new acquisitions, which significantly impacted his playing time.
- Date of Waiver: March 2025
- Teams Involved: Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks
- Player Acquired: Henry Thrun
- Games Played with Toronto: 35
- Goals Scored with Toronto: 0
- Games Played with San Jose: 25
- Goals Scored with San Jose: 2
Life After the Maple Leafs
Since joining the Sharks, Reaves has reported a renewed sense of comfort and confidence. He feels more at ease in San Jose compared to his time in Toronto, where he described the environment as overly corporate. This shift has allowed him to play more freely and connect with younger teammates.
Leadership and Team Dynamics
Reaves aims to serve as a mentor for the Sharks’ younger players. He emphasized the importance of his role in fostering team spirit and accountability. Teammate Tyler Toffoli praised Reaves for his positive influence and energetic contributions, stating he has been instrumental in keeping team morale high.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Reaves is focused on reaching significant career milestones, including playing 1,000 games in the NHL. He expressed his desire for another season to achieve this goal, acknowledging the challenges he faced during his last contract with Toronto.
As he prepares to play his 938th game, Reaves remains hopeful and motivated, stating, “I’d like to say I’m confident,” underscoring his determination to continue his professional career as he adapts to his new surroundings with the Sharks.
