Another tough blow to Ryan Reaves coming straight from the Maple Leafs!

Earlier this week, we provided reports that claim that veteran forward and enforcer Ryan Reaves was on the verge of losing his roster spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Leafs have been focused on adding depth and general manager Brad Treliving has managed to pull it off this summer, along with the emergence of young prospects like Pontus Holmberg, Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan who are ready to take the spots of some veteran counterparts. It’s been nothed that Reaves and David Kampf could be in danger of losing their spot on the Leafs’ roster when comes training camp in Toronto, and noe Reaves is getting hit with another blow.

Jesse Courville-Lynch has just reported that Reaves could be on his way out of Toronto shortly via trade as the enforcer has allegedly been pushed on the block by the Maple Leafs.

“One player who may find himself on the outside looking in once the season gets underway is enforcer Ryan Reaves who may be headed for a trade if he can’t find his footing and begin contributing in his depth role in the Maple Leafs’ bottom six this season.

"While Reaves is someone the team can use when they need some physical play, it’s safe to assume he signed with the Maple Leafs because he wanted to play and help contribute toward their goal of winning a Stanley Cup. With Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann breaking out in a big way last season, it pushed Reaves further down the depth chart. Nick Abruzzese , Alex Steeves, and even Nick Robertson will all be looking to take a spot away from Reaves this season out of training camp, and with the way things are trending, I would bank on Reaves being the odd man out and the team’s front office exploring a trade," Courville-Lynch wrote on the Hockey Writers.

Ever since the Maple Leafs signed Reaves to a long-term contract in 2023, fans, including Courville-Lynch, have had an issue with it. Reaves now enters year two of his three-year, $4.05 million contract he signed as a free agent and it sounds like the union with Toronto could soon come to an end. Courville-Lynch therefore suggests attempting to move the enforcer to clubs like the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames, who could have interest in an added spark that could provide Reaves on their respective roster.

This is another tough blow to Reaves, especially on top of all the previous rumours and his performance last season as he did not impress, contributing just four goals and six points in the 49 games he played. He did show off his physicality and leadership, though he was called out more than once for failing to protect some of his teammates, hence at the only role that he was hired to play in Toronto.

That all seems to add up to a trade in my books!