Maple Leafs make curious lineup change upon Ryan Reaves' return from suspension

As seen on Maple Leafs Daily, Ryan Reaves is eligible to rejoin the team Wednesday against the Nashville Predators.

Craig Berube wasted no time by integrating him during Tuesday's practice, where Ryan Reaves lined up with Connor Dewar and Nikita Grebenkin on the 4th line.

Ryan Reaves' return means that Alex Nylander will be the odd man out as he appeared in the last four games but hasn't produced enough to solidify his spot.

In contrast, the strong performances from Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten made Alex Nylander's removal a straightforward decision.

Despite fan criticism that Ryan Reaves' presence takes up a roster spot, Craig Berube likes his physical style and leadership in the dressing room.

Statistically, Reaves' impact has been minimal with only one point, 44 hits and 23 penalty minutes in 16 games, averaging less than eight minutes of playtime per game.

For some, Ryan Reaves' intangibles help his lack of offensive production, while others argue the Leafs could benefit more from giving younger, more dynamic players like Nylander more games to prove themselves.

At the end of the day, Ryan Reaves' return shows a philosophical divide in the Leafs' approach, balancing physicality and leadership with skill and offensive.

Do you also think the place of Ryan Reaves in the lineup is more important than young players like Alex Nylander?