Maple Leafs tough guy Ryan Reaves gets trashed by former Leafs enforcer

There had been anticipation of a showdown between Leafs Ryan Reaves and Arber Xhekaj since the two fought in preseason against the Montreal Canadiens. Fans had circled the season opener on their calendars, expecting fireworks to fly on the ice. But when given the opportunity, Reaves did the unexpected: not fighting anybody, leaving some sections of the fanbase wondering what exactly has made him so suddenly shy.

In no time, the New York Rangers rolled into Scotiabank Arena, inserting the formerly healthy-scratch Matt Rempe into the lineup, setting tongues wagging over a possible Reaves-Rempe showdown. Several attempts at stirring something up from Rempe, looking for a fight, were once again ignored by Reaves. And again, speculation by the fans was all anybody had to go on regarding what was going on with the veteran enforcer.

Former Leafs tough guy Jay Rosehill chimed in during a recent episode of 'Leafs Morning Take' on The Leafs Nation. Rosehill voiced his concerns about Reaves being particularly unwilling to engage in fights this season. It's particularly curious given that Reaves had been active in physical confrontations last year, with seven fighting majors in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. This was surprising to many, as he's not a guy who usually backs down from a challenge.

There might be little reason to worry just yet this season, but Rosehill did point out that previous Reaves fights came in games where the Leafs were not playing very well. Both contests in which Reaves refused to dance this season ended in losses for Toronto, and the speculation of course was that a physical altercation might have provided them with just the spark they needed. Though few enforcers remain in today's game, moments like these can still have an impact on momentum, and fans are left wondering when Reaves will make his mark.

Looking ahead, Ryan Reaves could have another opportunity for a dance as the Maple Leafs meet the Columbus Blue Jackets, with fellow non-combatant this season Mathieu Olivier on the opposite bench. Whether Reaves is keeping his hands in due to directives from the coaching staff, nursing an undisclosed injury, or just waiting for the right time, his restraint has indeed become a topic of discussion. Be that as it may, his fans and the analysts want him back into the thick of action as soon as possible.