Maple Leafs May Lose Ryan Reaves Just Days Into the Season

Ryan Reaves was brought to the Toronto Maple Leafs to add some much-needed grit and toughness to their lineup — especially come playoff time. Now, there are already fears that Reaves' stay in Toronto may be short-lived.

Given how Reaves is signed to a $1.35 million AAV deal over three years with the Leafs, and with the team in a cap crunch to start the 2023-24 campaign, some difficult roster decisions may soon need to be made — even if that includes sending Reaves down to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

Even if he does get sent down, he'll have to pass through waivers first even if just as a pure flexibility decision.. Considering Reaves is aged 36 — an age where players often head toward retirement — and doesn't provide much offensively for his cap hit despite offering sandpaper in spades, he doesn't feel at first like an attractive piece for other teams to claim should he get waived.

As much as it might be humiliating for GM Brad Treliving if he suddenly loses Reaves to waivers, his player profile doesn't necessarily make for the most intriguing waiver wire pickup, so it may just be a risk worth taking for the Leafs as the season gets underway.