After Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs exit, Sharks’ Ryan Reaves breaks silence on Toronto split

Ryan Reaves is no longer a Toronto Maple Leaf — and according to the veteran enforcer, that was always the plan. The 38-year-old winger spoke for the first time following his trade to the San Jose Sharks, revealing that it was he — not the Leafs’ front office — who initiated the split after what he described as a frustrating and ill-fitting season.

Signed last year to a three-year, $4.05 million contract meant to bring leadership and physicality to Toronto’s locker room, Reaves instead found himself scratched, demoted, and sidelined.

Speaking candidly on Friday to the media, he explained the move was mutual in spirit, but personal in motivation. “I just thought that this wasn’t obviously a good fit,” Reaves said. “I’m assuming [Brad Treliving] probably thought the same after putting me on waivers and sending me to the minors.”

With Auston Matthews now leading a reconfigured core and Mitch Marner gone to Vegas Golden Knights, Reaves’ departure adds another layer to the post-Core Four transition. “It just kind of looked like if I had one bad game, I was out of the lineup for four, five, six, seven, eight, nine games,” Reaves added. “I’d come back in, have a good game, but then be taken right back out.”

From waivers to the West Coast

Reaves was waived and sent to the AHL in March after posting just two assists over 35 games. Though his physical presence remained intact, his role in the Leafs’ rotation dwindled fast — a sharp contrast to expectations when he was signed out of Minnesota last summer.

Despite the friction, Reaves stressed there was no bad blood. He acknowledged the pressure of playing in a market like Toronto and said the franchise treated him with respect. “It’s a first-class organization,” he noted.

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Now in San Jose, the veteran enforcer is aiming to play regular minutes again and chase a personal milestone — reaching 1,000 NHL games. Reaves sits at 912, just 88 games shy.

Sharks offer a fresh start

For the rebuilding Sharks, Reaves represents more than toughness — he’s a veteran voice in a young room and a potential mentor figure. With no expectation to contend in 2025, the franchise can offer Reaves consistent opportunities that were no longer available in Toronto.

“I still want to play,” Reaves said. “I would love to be able to hold on for another two years and hit that [1,000 games milestone], then ride into the sunset.”

He also addressed past criticism of Toronto fans, clarifying his stance without walking back his earlier comments. “There’s a lot of pressure on that team. But I’ve got nothing bad to say about Toronto,” he said.