Former Maple Leaf Ryan Reaves Shines in San Jose, and Leafs Fans Can't Help but React

When the Toronto Maple Leafs traded veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks, it was meant to get rid of some dead weight while the blue and white transitioned into a new era.

They acquired young defender Henry Thrun who could be a solid piece for the future and provides NHL-caliber depth if needed. Reaves wasn't expected to much for a rebuilding Sharks team, and it was more to give him a chance to hit 1,000 career NHL games.

Well, if he puts in the type of performance we saw recently, not only will he get there, but he could earn himself some top-six minutes at this rate.

No arguments here, that was a lovely bit of hockey from the veteran Reaves, who decided to use whatever energy he had to catch up to the puck and score.

Plus, he also got into a scrap and was only one helper away from getting himself the coveted and rare Gordie Howe hat-trick.

It was the type of performance you rarely see from a player like Reaves, and say what you want about him, clearly there's still something left in the tank.

It's just a shame that the Maple Leafs never got to see this type of energy from the veteran, and it's clear that Reaves had basically checked out shortly after coming to Toronto.

He didn't want to fight, he wasn't a factor offensively or defensively, and there was way too much money wasted.

This performance however good it was, did not go over well with everyone; most notably the Maple Leafs fanbase:

What's frustrating too for Maple Leafs fans is that not only did Reaves have this in him, but it confirms their suspicions that at least some of the team had other ventures in mind and wanted out of town.

Toronto didn't want them either, and their new identity which is built around passion, loyalty, and the desire to win together wasn't conducive to players like Reaves or Mitch Marner.

It was a flash of brilliance from Reaves, and the Maple Leafs fans were not too happy they couldn't get the same treatment from the veteran.

Though I think we can all agree, Toronto is way better off without him.