Ex-Leafs Enforcer Calls Out Current Leafs Tough Guy, Ryan Reaves
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton - USA Today Sports
Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves is being called out by another former Leafs enforcer for his unwillingness to drop the gloves.
After what took place during the pre-season against the Montreal Canadiens, everyone had the season opener circled on their calendar in anticipation for a Ryan Reaves and Arber Xhekaj fight. However, Reaves declined to drop the gloves, which surprised many within the fan base.
Fast forward a couple weeks, and the New York Rangers were visiting the Scotiabank Arena and Matt Rempe went from healthy scratch to active on Game Day, leading many to believe that it was about to go down. This was yet another opportunity for the veteran enforcer to get his first fight of the season, but despite Rempe's many advances, Reaves, again, declined.
Another former Maple Leafs tough guy, Jay Rosehill, took to The Leafs Nation's "Leafs Morning Take" this week to discuss his thoughts on the Reaves-Rempe matchup and what might be going on with Reaves, who has yet to drop the gloves this season.
"The Reavo, Rempe man, I've had some info that Rempe was absolutely coming after Reavo and coming to get that thing underway. I thought it was going to happen for sure and I found out afterwards that Rempe said 'I've asked him several times and he acted like I didn't exist and wouldn't even make eye contract', and you saw that with Wi-Fi as well, game one.
I know it was at the end of his shift but when that happened to me and someone challenged me and like back up and shake your gloves almost, I'm fine if you're at the end of your shift, like nice try, and then make sure next shift you find that guy.
Just doesn't seem to be happening and in both games where you could've used one, right? You know when you're down and looking for some life, that's a good way to do it and he doesn't seem to be too interested so far this year, which makes me kinda scratch my head but not coming down on Reavo or anything yet, just curious as to why not in those games where it could've benefited your team."
I know it was at the end of his shift but when that happened to me and someone challenged me and like back up and shake your gloves almost, I'm fine if you're at the end of your shift, like nice try, and then make sure next shift you find that guy.
Just doesn't seem to be happening and in both games where you could've used one, right? You know when you're down and looking for some life, that's a good way to do it and he doesn't seem to be too interested so far this year, which makes me kinda scratch my head but not coming down on Reavo or anything yet, just curious as to why not in those games where it could've benefited your team."
This could be nothing to worry about with the season having just gotten underway, but Reaves had dropped the gloves with both players last year at different junctures of the season. He had 7 fighting majors in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, so he's certainly not accustomed to rejecting the advances of his counterparts.
As Rosehill points out, those fights could have taken place when the Maple Leafs were down in their games, and coincidentally, they ended up losing both contests when they could have used a spark.
There aren't too many enforcers left in the modern game, but Reaves will have a chance to drop the mitts again on Tuesday, if he suits up, when the Leafs play Mathieu Olivier and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Olivier has also yet to record a fight in 5 games this season, so perhaps it will be high-time for both enforcers to get their feet wet.
Another possibility is that maybe he's been directed by the coaching staff to ease up for the time being or that he's nursing some sort of hand or arm injury. It's certainly a mystery, but whatever is preventing Reaves from dropping the gloves has not sat well with Rosehill and, I'm sure, many others.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 21 | 2306 ANSWERS Ex-Leafs Enforcer Calls Out Current Leafs Tough Guy, Ryan Reaves Is it at all concerning that Ryan Reaves has yet to drop the gloves this season? | ||
| Yes, that's essentially his main role for the team | 614 | 26.6 % |
| No, it's too early to tell | 1188 | 51.5 % |
| If it continues to happen then most definitely | 504 | 21.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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