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Ryan Reaves Comments On His Future in the NHL After Being Sent to the AHL Last Season

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 7:59 PM ET

Enforcer Ryan Reaves, who still has a year left on his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is getting frank about his future with the team after being demoted to the AHL's Toronto Marlies this year.

The future of NHL enforcer Ryan Reaves, who is currently with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, appears to be in doubt.

While he does have a year left on his contract, he was waived and sent to the AHL's Toronto Marlies this year. It was the 1st time he'd been in the AHL in over a decade, and he scored a goal in 3 games played.

Appearing on 'The Cam & Strick' podcast, Reaves discussed his time in the minors and said that while he wasn't called back up to the Leafs, he was happy to be a part of a team rather than just working out alone at home.

Reaves, who is 83 games away from reaching 1,000 in his NHL career, would love nothing more than to reach that milestone - and the Stanley Cup.

I still want to play - I'm 83 games away from 1,000 right now, and I'd love to hold on for another two years, hit that mark, and ride into the sunset. I don't think I've got more than two years left, but the dream is always the Stanley Cup. When I first came into the league, I remember telling my wife, 'Wouldn't it be cool if I hit 100 games?' Then it was 200, then 500, and now I'm thinking maybe I chase 1,000. For a player who plays like me, that'd be a pretty cool accomplishment. So, Stanley Cup and 1,000 games, in that order.

Reaves, who was taken 156th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, has 137 points (63G, 74A) in 912 career games.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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