Insider leaks important information regarding Ryan Reaves' injury

Reaves was injured during the Leafs' 6-5 OT loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday after The 36-year-old ran into the boards awkwardly. The injury has not yet been specified, but the team is calling it a lower-body injury, though the most likely scenario is either an ailing knee, foot or ankle, judging by how little weight Reavo was actually able to keep on the injured leg after the unfortunate incident.

The Leafs have not yet attached an official timeline to Reaves' mysterious injury, though Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed on Saturday that whatever it is, it does not appear to be overly long-term. Friedman suggested that a trip to the IR is likely, but that the veteran winger should be able to avoid LTIR entirely.

Reaves has had an up and down start to his tenure in Toronto, but Sheldon Keefe appeared to be finding a bit of a niche for Reaves in the lineup prior to his injury.

The Leafs' bench boss was often dressing Reaves as a 4th line energy guy who would play minimally, if at all, in the 3rd period. This gave Keefe the opportunity to double-shift some of the team's more dangerous offensive producers, offering up short bursts on the 4th line to try to capitalize on mismatches on the ice.

Reaves has produced just 1 goal in 21 games this season, but has found other ways to contribute with 10 shots on goal, 2 blocked shots, 4 takeaways and 44 hits.