Ryan Reaves' First Message After Maple Leafs Demotion

"Everybody’s got a role, and my role is a little bit different," Reaves said. "I’m a guy who brings energy. But I try and still be involved when I’m not playing.

"I think it’s important to show support, whether you’re in the lineup or not. It goes a long way, in the playoffs especially.

"I just like to be around the boys. I don't like to be away from them."

Reaves, who has played 912 career NHL games, scoring 137 points and racking up 1,100 penalties in minutes, acknowledged that his role has changed but remains focused on staying connected with his teammates.

In his conversation with Siegel, Reaves — along with teammate Mitch Marner — revealed the existence of a Maple Leafs group chat the team uses to keep up with and cheer each other.

Despite his demotion, Reaves has yet to join the Marlies and has limited himself to skating with the team’s development staff before officially joining the AHL club. 

Reaves' status in the minors remains unclear, as Marlies head coach John Gruden admitted he has yet to speak with him about when — or if — he will enter the lineup, per TSN's Mark Masters.

"We’ll see what happens with that," Gruden said. "It’s a tough adjustment for anyone. At the end of the day, we just want what’s best for him."

Reaves signed a three-year, $4.05 million contract in July 2023. He only has two assists in 35 games with the Leafs this season, appearing in a match most recently on March 2 but only playing three games after the end of January.