Ryan Reaves breaks silence after being sent down to Toronto Marlies

While it wasn't the best of news for him to receive, Reaves still likes to be involved with the team and be around his teammates, even if he's been demoted.

"Everybody's got a role and my role is a little bit different," Reaves said. "I'm a guy who brings energy. But I try and still be involved when I'm not playing. I think it's important to show support, whether you're in the lineup or not. It goes a long way, in the playoffs especially. I just like to be around the boys. I don't like to be away from them."

In early February, Reaves explained that he knew his role was diminishing but that he still enjoyed being a part of the team and bringing his brand of humor into the dressing room.

"My role is a little different than a lot of guys on this team where I may not play big minutes or power play or penalty kill or any of that," Reaves said. "But I try and be a guy who keeps the room light, brings the boys together, makes sure there's time to have fun together at the right times. I think that's really important. The best teams I've been on are the teams that like to run together and have a really good time together and laugh together and can make fun of each other without it getting sensitive. I think that's a really important part of a winning team."

Reaves was demoted ahead of the trade deadline as the team prepared to make a deal and his contract was way too much for the Maple Leafs to keep him in the lineup, especially with his lack of production.

Reaves appeared in 35 games with the Leafs this year with a pair of assists and 28 PIM.

In 912 career NHL games, Reaves has 137 points (63G, 74A) and exactly 1,100 PIM. He signed a three-year deal with the Leafs in 2023, and is under contract for an additional year with an AAV (average annual value) of $1,350,000.