“They basically said that I couldn’t play in this league anymore,” Reaves told reporters inside Scotiabank Arena’s visitors’ room Thursday morning. “And I’m back.”
In two complicated, inconsistent campaigns with the Maple Leafs — who sought him out for his ability to bring toughness and togetherness — Reaves created a few memorable moments and made good friends, such as Auston Matthews and Max Domi, whom he dined with Wednesday night.
But things ended abruptly and poorly, and both management and the player thought it best to part ways in the off-season. GM Brad Treliving dealt Reaves to San Jose for young defenceman Henry Thrun, who fittingly makes his Leafs debut against Reaves’s Sharks Thursday.
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“It’s another game. I played on seven teams. Almost every barn is like that,” Reaves said Wednesday, in off-camera conversation. He flashed a smile. “I mean, it’s always fun playing against your buddies, and you never want to lose against them, so they’re always a little more special for you. But I’ve done it many times.
“I enjoyed my time here. It was a great experience. The guys I met on this team will hopefully be friends forever, and I’ve met some really good people on this team and in the city.”
There’s a but coming …
“It’s a business, and sometimes business doesn’t go the way you want it to. I think things could’ve been handled a little differently with me, just a little more upfront honesty,” Reaves continued.
The 937-game veteran specifically took issue with how Treliving handled him at the 2025 trade deadline.
Facing cap and roster constraints, Treliving waived Reaves in advance of the March deadline, clearing the decks for acquisitions Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo.
Though recalled to serve as a black ace in the post-season, Reaves never played another game for the Maple Leafs after getting waived. For the first time in 12 years, he skated in the minors.
“Just some upfront honesty of what was going on with my situation and the trade deadline thing was a little frustrating for me,” Reaves said.
“But, again, I don’t hold any grudges. Business is business. And I’ve been on the good side of it. I’ve been on the bad side of it.”
At the time he waived Reaves, Treliving described it as “a difficult conversation” and praised the winger’s professionalism.
“This isn’t goodbye, right? Ryan’s still a big part of our locker room. He’s part of the team. Those are hard conversations. Good, good man,” Treliving said on March 7. “My hope is we can get him back here sooner rather than later. But, obviously, you got to work within the guidelines.”
Reaves said he feels more comfortable, more like himself now that he’s in San Jose.
He has scored twice through 25 games, something he didn’t do once in his 35 with Toronto last season.
“It’s hard to describe. I just feel a little bit more myself here. In Toronto, it’s a little more corporate. You got people hovering over you all the time. You do an interview in Toronto, and they’re running down saying, ‘Hey, don’t say this.’ It’s like, ‘Well, then you do the interview.’ Here, they don’t come tell me what to do,” Reaves previously told Spittin’ Chiclets.
“I just feel like I’m a little freer to be myself here. Everything’s a bit more comfortable. When you’re comfortable, you play better. You have more fun. That’s just how it is.”
New teammate Tyler Toffoli raves about Reaves’ energy injection.
“There’s been some downs throughout the season, and he’s done a great job of keeping things as positive as can be. And at the same time, holding this team accountable within that as well,” Toffoli said.
“Yeah, he’s been unbelievable addition for our group,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky added.
“He’s almost an addition to the coaching staff and how we want to play, and what we talk about as a staff. And he relays that message to the group. So, he’s been very vocal with our young guys, been very vocal for our team, brings energy to our room, been one of the better additions this summer.”
Thing is, Reaves was supposed to be that source of spark and wisdom for the Leafs.
The player pushed for a three-year contract in Toronto with Treliving in the summer of 2023, in part because he’s striving for a Silver Stick.
“I guess I look at it as I ended up in San Jose, where they let me play and let me help these young kids, and it’s been a fun role for me. It’s been fun helping these young guys, kind of being a leader for them,” Reaves said Wednesday.
“Again, I’ve been on the ice for most of the games this year, so it’s just been fun getting back and battling with the boys.”
How confident is Reaves that he’ll hang around long enough to see 1,000 games?
“Oh, man. I mean, I’d like to say I’m confident, but I guess that’s up to the big man up top,” said Reaves, who is set to play Game 938 Thursday.
“When I signed in Toronto, I could have hit 1,000 games in that contract. And then, obviously, last year didn’t go the way I wanted it to.
“So, I want another year.”
