Terrible blow to Ryan Reaves in Toronto!

The Toronto Maple Leafs were focused on adding depth to the roster and general manager Brad Treliving has managed to pull it off, 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. Editor in Leaf believes that Ryan Reaves and David Kampf are now in danger of losing their spot on the roster and will need to fight hard to crack the roster when comes training camp in Toronto.

Kampf has been mentioned here and there as a trade candidate this summer and could be on his way out of Toronto to play a solid role on the fourth line elsewhere in the league.

However, for Reaves, a demotion out of the main roster at the start of the 2024-25 season could be a terrible blow. Especially since he did not impress last season when he just contributed 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.

While new head coach Craig Berube would decide to have Cowan or Minten taking the next step to the NHL, he could also find it hard to cut Reaves out his roster, as Editor in Leaf points out:

“Since Berube played a similar role to Reaves during his NHL career, he might have a soft spot for the bruising forward and what he brings to the team. Then again, he’s a professional who is likely able to avoid making emotional decisions.”

In the end, it will greatly benefit the Maple Leafs to have some inner competition for roster spots at the team’s training camp next month. And if Cowan and Minten come prepared and ready to top veterans like Reaves and Kampf, coach Berube will have tough choices to make ahead of the season opener.

As of now, it has been a pretty quiet offseason for Reaves, thanks in large part to a three year contract he signed with GM Treliving last offseason. Previously, Reaves was hustling for a new contract in the offseason but with two years left on his current deal, it’s been nothing but rest and relaxation for the NHL’s reigning heavyweight champion. He however may need to step up to be on the top of his game for training camp.