Ryan Reaves benched in OT win over Tampa; here's what we might expect to occur next
We may as well start calling the Leafs the comeback kids because every time the Tampa Bay Lightning get out ahead, even with multi-goal leads, the Leafs seem to wake up and somehow find a way to secure the win. Last night was no different, as the Buds erased a 3-goal deficit to win 6-5 in overtime, thanks to a brilliant tic tac toe play from Nylander to Rielly to Jarnkrok in the extra frame to seal the deal.
It wasn't the prettiest game you'll ever see the team play, but in the end, they got the two points and that's really all that matters. However, one of the big storylines coming out of this one is the benching of Ryan Reaves - a guy who many deemed to be very important to the team throughout the summer and early on this season.
As a result of Reaves' benching, the Leafs carried a shorter bench than they may have liked in this one, as Sheldon Keefe stapled Reaves' backside to the bench from the middle of the second period onward.
Reaves played a season-low 4:32 in the game, and now there's a huge question looming; did the Leafs make a huge mistake in signing the 36-year-old to a 3-year deal worth $1.35M this summer?
I wouldn't be shocked if Reaves spends Wednesday night in the press box or if he's waived after this one if I'm being completely honest. Early on this season, Sheldon Keefe seemed to appreciate the defensive plays that Reaves was able to make and the physical presence that he brought. However, lately it seems as though Reaves' in-game impacts have been less and less.
It's important to note that with the way the Leafs have structured Reaves' contract, it's not like a typical 35+ contract. If they waive him, they'll save a little over $1M against the cap, burying all but about $250K of his cap hit. The next couple of days are going to tell us a lot about where he currently stands with the team. Don't be shocked if he ends up on waivers at 2pm today.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 7 | 451 ANSWERS Ryan Reaves benched in OT win over Tampa; here's what we might expect to occur next Should the Leafs waive Ryan Reaves? | ||
| Yes | 253 | 56.1 % |
| No | 198 | 43.9 % |
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