Leafs analysts predict first fight of the season for Ryan Reaves in opening night rematch
Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves has yet to drop the gloves this season, but several Leafs analysts think that could change this weekend.
The Leafs are playing the Detroit Red Wings tonight in what will be another key matchup for the team early on this season. So far, the Leafs are just 7-5-2 which is good for 2nd place in the Atlantic division, but they won't hold that spot if they continue to play mediocre hockey. The Red Wings meanwhile are in a very similar position at 6-5-1 so a win would get them within a single point of Toronto.
When it comes to Ryan Reaves though, fans and analysts alike are already looking forward to Saturday night's contest when the Leafs play the Canadiens. This will be the teams' second meeting of the season after both teams met in their season opener on October 9th. Many fans were expecting Reaves to drop the gloves in that one as the Habs were rostering their own enforcer in Arber Xhekaj but he disappointed once again by not starting anything. Time and time again Reaves has failed to drop the gloves in situations where fans might have liked to see it, as Leafs commentator Jay Rosehill has pointed out.
"There have been opportunities in my mind where Ryan Reaves should have got a scrap going. The Rempe, the Xhekaj. Opening night, in Montreal, statement game, Craig Berube, your team is down, you're spinning your wheels, you can't seem to get a goal. Go right to Xhekaj and try to spark the boys."
Obviously, Brad Treliving did not sign Reaves to play 10 minutes a night and be completely invisible. Everyone in the entire NHL knows what Reaves' game is. He's a grinder and he punches guys in the face really hard. Sometimes you need that in hockey. But when the guy you hired to do that isn't, he essentially is not doing his job. Leafs fans are not dumb and have taken notice of this.
Even the Leafs themselves are aware of Reaves poor performances this season as their own social media admin has trolled him during recent games. Hopefully, Craig Berube will eventually take notice of this as well and return Reaves to the press box.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Ryan Reaves will drop the gloves with Arber Xhekaj when the Leafs play the Canadiens on Saturday night? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 40.4 % |
| No | 62 | 59.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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