'I've Been Eager And Patiently Waiting': Ryan Reaves Returns to Hometown to Play First Game For Maple Leafs in Six Weeks

On Saturday that comes to an end when the Winnipeg native returns to the lineup against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre.

“I’ve been eager and patiently waiting, sometimes things work out in your favor," Reaves told The Hockey News. "You get a chance to get into the lineup today and luckily it’s in front of family and friends. It’s been a rollercoaster of a year but I’m very excited."

Reaves spent Friday with his father Willard and mother Brenda and both will be in attendance to watch their son's first NHL game in six weeks. It will make the moment special for the player, who has had a turbulent first season in Toronto.

Signed by the Maple Leafs to a three-year, $4.05 million contract this summer, Reaves struggled out of the gate as a regular on the team's fourth line. And as the player found himself on the ice for more goals against than goals for, the Leafs elected to give other players a chance in his place.

Reaves came out of the lineup on Dec. 14 when he caught a rut on the ice in the first period in a game against the Jackets. He returned to practice on Jan. 2 and explained to The Hockey News that his knee simply popped out of place and it was something that happened to him 10 times before in his career.

He then told Sportsnet's Luke Fox that he had been healthy for weeks despite not getting any chance to come back into the lineup.

"We’ve been wanting to give others a look, (Bobby) McMann, and (Noag) Gregor and (Pontus) Holmberg now and (Nick) Roberson coming back in. It’s made it a little bit harder for someone with Reavo, but we know who he is," Keefe said of Reaves. "So while we’ve got some younger and more inexperienced guys, you want to give them some time and then Reavo’s had to be more patient as a result."

On Friday, the Leafs practiced without McMann, who went on injured reserve with a lingering injury. Later in the session, Calle Jarnkrok took a puck off his hand and sustained a broken knuckle and will be out on a week-to-week basis. 

"For us, it’s just about getting him in and getting that opportunity and I think it comes at a good time too," Keefe said of Reaves. "He’ll give the room and the bench and the guys a bit of a boost. It will be an emotional game here tonight. So I think it’s good timing for that."

Reaves has one goal in 21 games this season and he'll be on the 37-year-old is on the team's books for an additional two seasons beyond this one. It's been a point of frustration for the forward who wants to live up to his end of the commitment.

He says the players have been good about keeping his spirits up and that his wife Allana and their two kids have helped take his mind off not playing.

"My wife’s been my rock," Reaves said. "Just coming home and seeing my kids just easing the tension that comes from what was going on, I guess."

Reaves had been through stints as a healthy scratch before coming back into the lineup before. It occurred before he was traded from the New York Rangers to the Minnesota Wild last season. 

How will he handle his return after a long time without game action?

"Well, hopefully," he said with a smile. "We'll see today."