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'Writing on the Wall': Ryan Reaves Reveals Why Maple Leafs Exit Was Inevitable

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 8:00 AM ET

New San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves said he knew his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs was done at a very precise moment.

Reaves appeared on the "Leafs Morning Take" podcast on Monday and touched on many topics, including the moment when he realized his run with the Leafs was likely over.

“I think just the way the season ended, getting sent down to the minors. It was just kind of the writing on the wall, there," Reaves said. "I lost my spot on the team, which, look, that happens. It's a business.

“Sports is very unforgiving sometimes, and once I was sent down, that was kind of just... I don’t really have a place here anymore.”

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Reaves signed a three-year deal with Toronto in 2023, but he only played 35 games last season, missed time with a knee injury, was suspended for five games, and logged a meager two assists.

The veteran forward was traded to the Sharks on July 10 in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. For Reaves, the trade wasn’t starting afresh elsewhere, but rather the only logical move for him after his role in Toronto vanished late last season.

Reaves said that he spoke with Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and made his position clear, pretty much asking for a trade out of Toronto.

“I had a discussion with (Treliving) and I just told him 'I just don’t see myself coming back, and if you could move me, that'd be great,” Reaves said.

Despite the difficult exit, Reaves had praise for the Leafs organization after spending two years in Toronto.

“I played for, probably, the best organization in terms of how they treat the players and how they run the team,” Reaves said. "That's how an NHL team or sports team should be run. And, I'm thankful I got to put on that jersey.

“Obviously, a lot of history in that arena, and I thought it (was) very cool to be able to play for that organization.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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