Shane Doan becomes an assistant to Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving as the club shores up its deep ties to Arizona. Will that be enough to extend Auston Matthews? Ryan Reaves is set to become a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Reports began surfacing last night that there was an expectation that the physical forward would sign in Toronto. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed a $1.35 million average annual value when the deal gets done. During the NHL Draft last week, Friedman reported that there was interest from the Maple Leafs in Reaves as the club looked to try and become "beefier". Reaves is coming off a season in which he earned $1.75 million and split his time between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild. He scored five goals and added 10 assists in 73 games and ranked 25th in the NHL last season in hits per 60 minutes played at 17.28. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Reaves would certainly help add a physical presence to the Leafs. On January 20, 2022, Reaves scored twice against the Maple Leafs as a member of the New York Rangers. Following the game, Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe called out his team's performance as "soft and purposeless". He would walk those comments back the following day during a meeting availability following a team practice. Reaves scoring twice in a game against the opposition certainly won't be an expectation for him while with the Leafs. But he is expected to help the Leafs avoid getting pushed around. Related Maple Leafs Retain Rights by Extending Qualifying Offers to Samsonov, Abruzzese and Der-Arguchintsev [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-retain-rights-by-extending-qualifying-offers-to-samsonov-abruzzese-and-der-arguchintsev] Maple Leafs Unveil Development Camp Roster and Schedule [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-unveil-development-camp-roster-and-schedule] Report: Oilers, Maple Leafs ‘Favourites’ to Land Unrestricted Free Agent Connor Brown [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/report-oilers-maple-leafs-favourites-to-land-unrestricted-free-agent-connor-brown]
