Calls Emerge for the Maple Leafs to Make Difficult Decision With Ryan Reaves
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Calls to waive Ryan Reaves and send him to the minors are getting louder, as fans and analysts are looking at ways for the Leafs to acquire some cap space.
Ryan Reaves' time with the Toronto Maple Leafs could be coming to an end with Friday's NHL trade deadline approaching and his role diminishing under head coach Craig Berube.
With Friday's NHL trade deadline approaching, The Athletic's James Mirtle has raised the possibility of the Leafs waiving the veteran enforcer to create salary space for future deals.
"Waive Ryan Reaves: Reaves recently turned 38 and Friday's game in New York was his first game in weeks," Mirtle wrote. "He's become a popular figure in the dressing room, however, and Treliving did give him a three-year deal in free agency two years ago.
"Plus, coach Craig Berube played a similar role late in his career and values what Reaves does."
"Plus, coach Craig Berube played a similar role late in his career and values what Reaves does."
At 38, Reaves has not been able to find a consistent role with Toronto. As of Tuesday's games, he had played just 35 games this season, with no goals and two assists, and averaging 7:48 of ice time and a minus-2 rating.
Before being inserted back into the lineup on Feb. 28 against the Rangers, he had sat out nearly a month, his last game being on Feb. 4.
Reaves' cap hit is blocking the Leafs from adding a key depth player
Though Berube is reported to like Reaves' locker-room presence, his $1.35 million cap hit might be a problem for the Leafs to make room as they attempt to add pieces.
Waiving Reaves would also erase his entire cap hit if he's picked up by another team, Mirtle reports.
"If they need to free up some cap space painlessly, however, they could waive Reaves' $1.35 million contract and get $1.15 million in relief by demoting him to the minors," Mirtle wrote. "Then recall him whenever injuries hit or once the cap lifts to start the playoffs."
With a three-year, $4.05 million contract signed in 2023, Reaves was inked to bring grit to the fourth line of Toronto. He's fought only one time this season and has been an offensively inconsequential player.
With three days remaining until the trade deadline, a lot could be changing over the next 72 hours.
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