Ex-Leafs GM scorns Leaf fans for turning on Ryan Reaves so quickly
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves endeared himself to Leaf fans very quickly when he fought twice in the first two games of the season. However, that endearment quickly turned to displeasure as Reaves and the fourth line struggled in his limited minutes, often forcing Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe to shorten his bench.
In 14 games with the Leafs, Reaves was a team-worst -11 and had yet to register a point. Reaves has been a healthy scratch for the last three games and projects to be a scratch for their game on Friday in Chicago as well. Many fans believe that the Leafs should send him down to the Marlies if they aren't going to play him and free up just over $1M in cap space. It's either that or trade him, really.
With some fans turning on Reaves, others still believe he can be useful in the right situation and on Wednesday's episode of "Leafs Morning Take" former Leafs GM Brian Burke conveyed that message, while also calling out Leaf fans.
Burke has seen first-hand how quickly Leaf fans can turn on players during his time as the team's GM. Everyone loved Dion Phaneuf when he arrived, but he wore out his welcome and became the whipping boy rather quickly. The same can be said for the likes of Jake Gardiner, Frederik Andersen and, most recently, Justin Holl.
Burke also defended Reaves and believes the Leafs will need him and find the right use for him.
The Leafs have a pair of games coming up against the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins, two of the NHL's bigger and tougher teams, and it would not come as a surprise to see Reaves dress for one or both of those games to keep them in check. Reaves has two more years on his current deal that will see him earn $1.35M per season. If the Leafs fail to find the right balance of having and not having Reaves in the lineup, however, his time in Toronto could be short-lived.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 23 | 308 ANSWERS Ex-Leafs GM scorns Leaf fans for turning on Ryan Reaves so quickly How many games will Ryan Reaves play this year in his first season as a Leaf? | ||
| Less than 20 | 94 | 30.5 % |
| 21-40 | 133 | 43.2 % |
| 41-60 | 54 | 17.5 % |
| More than 60 | 27 | 8.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
