Veteran NHL forward Ryan Reaves is gearing up for his second season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, starting Tuesday. The seasoned enforcer signed a three-year, $4.05 million deal in July 2023, as the Maple Leafs aimed to add some grit to their roster. Having been in numerous NHL locker rooms, Reaves believed he had seen it all before arriving in Toronto. However, during a recent episode of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, the 37-year-old winger admitted that his first year with the Maple Leafs was quite a challenge. “It was tough for me at the start of the year because I was playing like (expletive),” Reaves shared with co-hosts Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney. “When you’re not performing in Toronto, the media really scrutinizes you.”
Most hockey fans aware of the Toronto media understand how harsh it can be. An issue that might go unnoticed in a smaller market often gets blown out of proportion when it’s linked to a Maple Leafs player.
The heightened scrutiny that comes with playing in Toronto, combined with frequently being a healthy scratch, made Reaves question his position within the organization.
“I went through a challenging period when I struggled to find my rhythm on the ice,” Reaves shared on the podcast. “It was the first time I really faced low confidence for a couple of months.” He noted that his confidence returned after recovering from a leg injury that sidelined him for most of December and January. While some players might doubt themselves during such absences, that wasn’t his experience. “That time off allowed me to reset, clear my mind, and get my legs back, which really helped,” Reaves said. “I felt great coming back and didn’t look back.”
Reaves completed his first regular season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, recording four goals, two assists, and 49 penalty minutes (PIMs) in 49 games. He also contributed an assist in five playoff games before the team was eliminated by the Boston Bruins in the first round. While he may not be a high scorer, Reaves aims to support his teammates in other ways. He mentioned to Bissonnette that he’s still focused on improving his punching power, even if he doesn’t fight as frequently, and was seen earlier this week giving fighting tips to defenseman Philippe Myers.
It’s yet to be determined how Reaves will navigate the Toronto media after completing a full season in the city. For now, he is concentrating on helping the Maple Leafs secure a victory against the Montreal Canadiens in Wednesday’s season opener.