Maple Leafs’ Ryan Reaves under fire for infuriating collapse!

It looks like Ryan Reaves has decided to change his game and has supposedly backed away from what that got him to the NHL. And I have to say the Toronto Maple Leafs are not better for it. It certainly has been noticed by fans and even a former Maple Leafs enforcer, who’s called out Reaves for his recent soft play and from backing out of opportunities to fight and inject some momentum in his team’s play.

Jay Rosehill was a member of the Leafs between 2009 and 2012, and recently called out Reaves for backing out of a challenge by New York Rangers’ Matt Rempe. Added to a similar situation that happened in the first game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens when Arber Xhekaj challenged Reaves to a fight, but the latter backed away and refused to fight him, Rosehill couldn’t help but point out Reaves’ failure to play his role.

“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.”

It isn’ the first time Reaves is being called out by a former enforcer as Georges Laraque recently explained how he thought Big Reavo was too scared to fight some of the young goons in the NHL. This is adding up and taking a toll on Reaves’ reputation and essentially his role on the Leafs’ roster.

Reaves has been a healthy scratch a few times this season already, though he was in the lineup for the Leafs’ 6-2 loss at the hands of the Blue Jackets in Columbus last night. He took on two minor penalties for roughing, ended the night with a -1 rating and played just eight minutes and six seconds.

It is true that fighting is not what it once was the league. But when given the opportunity to shake things up for the Leafs and get momentum back, Reaves needs to answer to young guys like Rempe and Xhekaj, who might need to be taught a lesson.