Ryan Reaves hits rock bottom in the AHL…

On trade deadline day, veteran forward Ryan Reaves cleared waivers and the Maple Leafs loaned him to the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League.

On Wednesday, Nick Barden of the Hockey News reported how Reaves has finally been practicing with the farm club, however, it might stop there. Because it’s still unclear if he’ll play in an AHL game.

When asked about Reaves skating with his team, Marlies head coach John Gruden commented on his participation, which was only his second skate with the Marlies since he was sent down by the Leafs on March 7 to make room on their cap to acquire players like Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo at the deadline.

“He’s been great coming in. I know he’s been working on his game, skating with development staff. He’s staying ready,” Gruden said.

However, whether Gruden inserts the veteran into his lineup this season remains to be determined.

“He’s just going to stay ready,” Gruden added. “He’s going to work with the development staff and at the end of the day, he’s just going to continue to make sure he’s ready to play regardless.”

If reporters wanted to check in with Reaves himself about his playing for the Marlies, they simply couldn’t. He was unavailable for interviews.

Before being loaned to the Marlies, Reaves had put up two assists in 35 games this season with the Leafs. If Toronto wants to call him back up, a player would need to be placed on long-term injured reserve seeing that the club currently has $195,332 in available cap space, per Puck Pedia. Reaves has a $1.35 million salary.

And so for now, Reaves will remain in the AHL until the NHL playoffs, once the salary cap no longer exists. However, if the head coach down in the farm club is not looking to insert him in his own lineup, I’m not sure the Maple Leafs will want to get Reaves back for the postseason…