Ryan Reaves Shares Parting Words With Maple Leafs Fans

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a decently busy offseason as they continue reshaping their roster following the departure of superstar Mitch Marner.

One of the latest moves saw veteran forward Ryan Reaves traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for young defenseman Henry Thrun.

Reaves, often known for his charisma and character, offered a brief, but meaningful farewell to the city and fans via Instagram:

His departure has been met with mixed reactions. After the trade, Reaves commented that he felt the fan base had turned on him at the end of his tenure in Toronto.

To be fair, Reaves had a limited role with the Leafs last season. He appeared in just 35 games, recording 2 assists, and was largely ineffective when in the lineup. He was eventually scratched regularly and later assigned to the AHL, where he did not see another NHL game for the remainder
of the regular season and playoffs.

Now 38 years old, Reaves will aim to start fresh with a young Sharks roster, where he'll look to contribute his trademark energy, toughness, and veteran leadership, by taking on a mentor role with the young club.

While his on-ice impact has declined in recent seasons, Reaves has consistently been a valuable locker room presence -- and that could prove just as important on a Sharks team in much need of veteran leadership.