Ryan Reaves clears NHL waivers, his future with Maple Leafs unclear
Article content
Ryan Reaves now awaits his fate after clearing NHL waivers Friday afternoon.
Reaves, who is signed through next season at $1.35 million US, represents a $1.15 million cap savings if he’s assigned to the Toronto Marlies.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Ryan Reaves clears NHL waivers, his future with Maple Leafs unclear Back to video
The right winger is seen every home game in a crowd pump-up video, but the 38-year-old has played in just 35 overall this year with no goals, two assists and 28 penalty minutes, with long stretches sitting in the press box.
He joined the Leafs last season to replace Wayne Simmonds as the team policeman and made it into 54 games that year, including five in the playoffs. But Toronto moved more towards toughness by committee under new coach Craig Berube and Reaves found few takers when he did want to fight.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The addition of Scott Laughton on Friday, which could move Max Domi to the right side, and what Alex Steeves and the returning Connor Dewar demonstrated in recent games showed the Leafs could get by without Reaves, especially when fighting is curtailed in playoffs.
Simmonds, proud of never playing a game in the minors, did not report to the Marlies in a similar situation, which the Leafs let slide as he retired.
X: @sunhornby
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.