Ryan Reaves Takes Part In Marlies Practice But Status For Games Since Maple Leafs Demotion 'To Be Determined'

Before being loaned to the Marlies, Reaves had two assists in 35 games this season with the Maple Leafs.

Ryan Reaves is practicing with the Toronto Marlies, but it's still unclear if he'll play in an AHL game.

After clearing waivers, the 38-year-old was assigned to the Marlies by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Mar. 7. The assignment allowed Toronto to use the cap space to acquire players like Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo at the deadline.

Reaves has been training with Toronto's development staff since being sent to the AHL but hadn't skated with the Marlies before Tuesday. Wednesday was his second practice, and he rotated throughout the team's lineup.

"He's been great coming in. I know he's been working on his game, skating with development staff. He's staying ready," Marlies head coach John Gruden said on Wednesday.

"We've had him in for two days and it's been great because he brings a certain professionalism and energy, and it helps with those younger guys too. He's been really good."

When asked to speak with the veteran forward, the Marlies said Reaves was unavailable for interviews.

Whether Reaves gets into a game with the Marlies is still being determined. The veteran forward's last AHL game was in February 2011 with the Peoria Rivermen.

"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."

Although Reaves had only played 35 games with the Maple Leafs this season, he was still a great teammate. Ahead of every home game, a pump-up video featuring him played on the jumbotron inside Scotiabank Arena.

Even before the Maple Leafs took to the ice, if Reaves was a healthy scratch, he was at the entrance to the locker room hyping up his teammates. But amid the uncertainty of when he could return to the NHL, Reaves isn't changing how he is toward teammates.

"He's a guy you want on your team in the locker room," Jacob Quillan said. "It's fun to play with him. He's been around the game a long time. So whatever he says, you just listen and you try to pick up some things."

According to PuckPedia, the Maple Leafs currently have $195,332 in available cap space. For Reaves to return to the NHL before the playoffs, a player would need to be placed on long-term injured reserve, opening up cap space for the forward and his $1.35 million salary.

Unless that occurs, Reaves will remain in the AHL until the NHL playoffs, once the salary cap disappears.

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