Assuming a full-fledged demotion to the AHL is not on the table – at least right now – it’s time for the Maple Leafs to think long and hard about sitting Ryan Reaves for a game or two.
Look, I’ll be the first to admit that I liked the offseason signing when it came across the wire on July 1. That said, it’s becoming abundantly clear by the day that outside providing a good scrap or two now and again, the 36-year-old doesn’t really fit with any of the other players currently being deployed in the bottom-fix. In fact, he sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s the kind of pain that will have you smashing a bottle of Tylenol in no-time. Yeah, no bueno.
Simply put, the fourth line has become unplayable, and unfortunately (because he’s a gem of a dude and unreal in the room), Ryan Reaves is undoubtedly the biggest reason why that’s become the case. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, or however that saying goes. And yes, I know it’s just 13 games into his Maple Leafs career, but it’s not like he’s going to magically wake up one day with talent. He is what he is. That’s it, that’s all.
Furthermore, as difficult as it may be, especially this early into his tenure as general manager, it’s imperative that Brad Treliving steps up, admits his mistake(s), and finds a way out of this sticky situation.
Hell, if it were up to me, I would bury him in the minors until the next meeting with the Montreal Canadiens when he can finally settle the score with Arber Xhekaj after that false start scrap on opening night.
Any way you slice it though, the Ryan Reaves experiment isn’t working out. Additionally, the Ryan Reaves experiment isn’t going to work out.
Plain and simple.
The end.
