Ryan Reaves Sends Blunt Message to the Toronto Maple Leafs Amid Trade Rumors
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Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves is likely to be traded this offseason, although in a recent podcast appearance, he spoke on staying in the game.
A few days ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed enforcer Michael Pezzetta to a two-year deal. The forward is 10 years younger than Ryan Reaves, and it led to some thinking that Pezzetta was a replacement of sorts.
Subsequently, trade rumors began to leak out, with David Pagnotta reporting that Ryan Reaves is on the trading block as we speak.
Today, Reaves got to talk about his NHL future during an episode of the 'Cam & Strick Podcast.'
Ryan Reaves on playing NHL hockey
As he explains, he believes he has two years left in the league. He essentially wants to play until he is 40 years old.
His justification for this is that he is currently 83 games away from 1000, which is pretty rare for an enforcer who plays his position.
I still want to play - I'm 83 games away from 1,000 right now, and I'd love to hold on for another two years, hit that mark, and ride into the sunset. I don't think I've got more than two years left, but the dream is always the Stanley Cup. When I first came into the league, I remember telling my wife, 'Wouldn't it be cool if I hit 100 games?' Then it was 200, then 500 - and now I'm thinking maybe I chase 1,000. For a player who plays like me, that'd be a pretty cool accomplishment. So, Stanley Cup and 1,000 games - in that order.
He only has one year left on his contract, so it is hard to imagine him getting another deal after this current one expires.
Furthermore, he did not play a ton of games last season, and it's not a guarantee that two more seasons would be enough to get him where he needs to be.
Whatever the case may be, there is no denying that the guy is a fighter in every single sense of the word.
Hopefully, he is able to find a solution and finish out his career on his terms.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 9 | 363 ANSWERS Ryan Reaves Sends Blunt Message to the Toronto Maple Leafs Amid Trade Rumors Do you believe Ryan Reaves deserves another two years in the NHL? | ||
| YES | 105 | 28.9 % |
| NO | 258 | 71.1 % |
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