Sharks' Ryan Reaves on Maple Leafs: 'They said I couldn't play anymore'

Does Ryan Reaves have a chip on his shoulder as he returns to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs?

You bet.

The 38-year-old forward will be in the San Jose Sharks lineup at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night as the Sharks make their lone visit of the 2025-26 regular season.

“Absolutely,” Reaves said after taking part in the Sharks’ morning skate.

“(The Leafs) basically said that I couldn’t play in this league anymore, and I’m back.”

There’s no denying that. Reaves didn’t wear the Leafs’ blue and white again after March 2, when he played 9 1/2 minutes against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Reaves cleared waivers and wound up playing in three games for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League before Leafs general manager Brad Treliving traded him to the Sharks in July for defenceman Henry Thrun.

One fight

In 35 games last season, Reaves fought just once, on Jan. 22 against Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Reaves might have had some sway in the dressing room, but that didn’t carry much weight once it was clear he could not be an on-ice contributor in Toronto.

Signed to a three-year contract by the Leafs in 2023 with an average annual value of $1.35 million US, Reaves never was able to completely make the impact that Treliving sought.

While Reaves said he didn’t hold any grudges against the Leafs, he added that he thought “some situations” could have been handled differently.

He was in and out of the Leafs lineup throughout the season before it came to a head early in March.

“I’d been in the league for 15 years and a little honesty and some communication would have been nice,” Reaves said. “Every team handles things differently.

“I ended up in a great organization in San Jose and I’m having a great time playing here, so it was just a stepping stone to get here.”

In 25 games, Reaves has two goals with the Sharks while averaging seven minutes 36 seconds a game.

Before Reaves did his media scrum on Thursday, Leafs coach Craig Berube was asked about him.

“I think Reavo has had a great career, in terms of what he does and his role as a player,” Berube said. “Things happen. This is the way the game goes.

“When you get a little older and you’re getting toward the end of your career, I went through it, and I understand totally where he’s at and what he thinks. It’s all good. I love Reavo.”

Let’s be clear: Though the Leafs are in a fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they certainly don’t miss Reaves.

Thrun’s Leafs debut

As luck would have it — and perhaps the hockey gods had a say — Thrun will make his Leafs debut against his former club. That became a possibility when Dakota Mermis suffered a knee injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, resulting in Thrun being recalled.

“Toronto is the biggest hockey market in the world, so to be able to get a chance to represent the NHL team here is pretty special,” Thrun said. “I’m really excited about it. Hopefully play well and make an impact and hopefully have more to come.

“Pretty ironic playing San Jose tonight, but it will be fun. You always do (want to show your old team something).

“It’s a league where you’re trying to prove yourself, always fighting for a job. Playing against San Jose is unique and will be able to compete against some old teammates. I’m just worried about myself and playing my game.”

Thrun, 24, played in 119 games in three seasons with San Jose. In 19 games with the Marlies, he had three goals and nine assists.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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