Ryan Reaves says he and some of the newcomers bring the 'grit' that has been missing.
Ryan Reaves says he and some of the newcomers bring the 'grit' that has been missing.
MILTON, Ont. — Ryan Reaves doesn’t like to dip his toe into the pool to take the temperature.
It’s more like a deep dive.
Signed to a three-year, $4.15 million contract, the Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer says he doesn't waste time in flexing his personality whenever he joins a new team.
"I’m pretty loud. It’s not going to be a quiet room anymore, I’ll tell you that much," Reaves said during a media availability at the Toronto Maple Leafs' annual golf tournament on Monday. "I come in pretty hot. I tend to just chirp people right away and just gauge their reaction. It’s pretty, I don’t really shy into it."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOx57rOJEF0[/embed]
Reaves is one of several players signed by new Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving this summer. Players like Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi were also added this summer that help fill some offensive voids, but also bring some "piss and vinegar" as the general manager described after signing those players.
"They both have a lot of skill, too. But maybe something this team has been missing is a little bit of grit and I think those guys fit the mood of what we need here," Reaves said of his new teammates."They’re exactly what was needed, for sure."
Reaves' role is unlikely to evolve into anything beyond a fourth-line position, especially since the 36-year-old is entering his 14th season in the NHL. But it's clear he's expected to help stand up for his teammates.
The Winnipeg native was asked about situations like the one that occurred for the Maple Leafs in Game 5 when Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas was celebrating hard in the face of Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll seconds after Nick Cousins scored the overtime goal that eliminated the Leafs from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.
"Oh, I hope he tries that," Reaves said to a bunch of laughs regarding Gudas. I think it’d be interesting, it would be fun. I doubt there’s going to be any of that here."
Gudas has since signed with the Anaheim Ducks, but the point is clear. From situations like that, on the one that caused Matthew Knies to miss part of the second round against the Panthers after he was shoved down hard to the ice by Sam Bennett, players like Reaves will be counted on to protect some of the other players.
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There's an element of grit, for sure. But Reaves is 36 and committed for three seasons. There will need to be some skill on his part, too, if he is in going to be in the lineup on an everyday basis.
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