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Ryan Reaves' NHL Future In Jeopardy Following Latest Development

Originally posted on Hockey Patrol | By Chris Gerics | Last updated Mar 15, 2025 7:33 PM ET

After Ryan Reaves was demoted at the deadline, it was assumed he would join the Toronto Marlies, but according to his new coach, that may not exactly be the case.

Before the NHL Trade Deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs needed to figure out how to best add some cap and roster space for the inevitable trade they were going to make. One of those cost-cutting measures involved waiving Reaves.

The veteran enforcer hadn't played much this season, and when he did join the lineup, was often a non-factor and only skated for a handful of minutes per game. It was a fairly easy decision given his production and contract, and the 38-year old took it all in stride.

Expected to be a great veteran voice and on-ice presence for the Marlies, that may not be so; at least right now.

According to Marlies head coach Jon Gruden, the two have not spoken since the demotion and there's no indicator on when or if Reaves will slot into the lineup at all:

We'll see what happens with that ... It's a tough adjustment for anyone. At the end of the day, we just want what's best for him.

While it's not exactly the news that Reaves wants to hear, at least there is still some hope for him.

Ryan Reaves' Playing Career May Be Done, But He Has Lots To Offer

Though, with today's modern game and his lack of a skillset beyond fighting and hitting; it's hard to imagine his career continuing.

This season, he only had two assists in 37 games, and only fought one time; an indicator that his old style of play has gone by the wayside. He lights up the locker room and brings in the camaraderie, but at what cost to your team's on-ice production?

At $1.35M he's way too costly for what he offers, and unless he can somehow showcase some offensive production a la his run with Vegas in 2018-19; it's not looking good for his future.

If this were a decade or so ago? Reaves wouldn't be hard pressed to find himself back in the lineup at a moment's notice, but nowadays the team would much rather have Jacob Quillan, Alex Steeves, or even Alex Nylander over him.

Craig Berube has a soft spot for Reaves; so why not bring him along as a consultant and bench piece? There's no rule that says Toronto can't bring him in post-retirement to offer advice and be the locker room presence the team loves so dearly.

He has 15 years of experience, he brings levity and calmness to a locker room that is constantly under the microscope, and can be a great veteran leader for the younger guys and try to guide them how to best conduct themselves when they come up.

That type of knowledge is invaluable, and regardless of his playing acumen, needs to be admired. He stuck around a long time.

Though it might be over on the ice for Ryan Reaves, especially with how the direction of not only the Maple Leafs, but NHL is going.

But it doesn't mean he's out of options, and perhaps retirement isn't the end for Reaves, but only just the beginning.

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

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