Reaves has been on the Injured Reserve since December 14th and made some news this passed week after stating he had been healthy for weeks despite being on the IR. The 37-year-old veteran winger is in the first year of a three-year, $4.05 million contract signed in the offseason and has a goal and no assists in 21 games played so far this season.
Reaves has been in and out of the lineup lately, playing only two of the last six games for the Maple Leafs, and will return to the press box on Thursday as a healthy scratch in their contest against the Seattle Kraken. Reaves has one point (1G / 0A), 32 hits, and a -10 plus/minus through 16 games and will be replaced in the lineup by Bobby McMann.
Reaves was a healthy scratch on Saturday after scoring his first goal of the season the night before but is expected to return to the Maple Leafs lineup on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. He is expected to play on the fourth line with David Kampf and Noah Gregor. Reaves' greatest attribute has always been his high-volume hitting, but this season, he is averaging only 2.00 hits per game, the lowest total of his career.
Reaves was signed to a three-year, $4.05 million contract ($1,350,000 AAV) in the offseason and will be a healthy scratch Friday vs. Detroit in Sweden for the Global Series. It has been a disappoint 14 inaugural games with Toronto for the bruising winger, who has yet to pick up a point, has only six SOG, 12 PIMs and a -11 plus/minus.
Reaves has played all 13 games for the Maple Leafs, going without a point, and racking up a -9 plus/minus rating while averaging 7:46 time-on-ice. Reaves joins John Klingberg as high-profile offseason signings that are expected to be healthy scratches on Friday. The Maple Leafs recalled Pontus Holmberg from the Marlies (AHL), who will be a possibility to slot into the lineup.
Reaves is the most feared grinder in the NHL, who finished with 15 points (5G / 10A) with 43 PIMS and 196 hits in 73 games with the Rangers and Wild last season. Reaves will skate on the Maple Leafs fourth line and will skate under 10 minutes per game.
Reaves left the Wilds' previous game after just 4:26 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will be out Wednesday as the team takes on the Colorado Avalanche. The 36-year-old bruiser has five goals, nine assists, 40 SOG, 36 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 66 games with Minnesota and the New York Rangers this season.
Reaves was a healthy scratch for the Wilds' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Monday as a replacement for Sam Steel (undisclosed). The 36-year-old bruiser has six assists, 20 SOG, 26 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 44 games with both Minnesota and the New York Rangers this season.
Reaves heads to Minnesota for a 2025 5th round pick after failing to pick up a point through 12 games played with 12 PIMs and a -5 plus minus. He joins the Wild in hopes of receiving more ice time as he only saw 8:27 ATOI with New York.
Reaves was hurt early in Monday's game vs. the Flames and did not return. Moving Reaves to IR means that the Rangers will not have to make a move to activate Kaapo Kakko, who is expected to return to the lineup on Friday.
