Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has taken on the enforcer role for the team. Recently, former Canadiens enforcer Georges Laraque called him out after a bad showing earlier in the season.
Laraque set up his argument by citing the first game of the season, when Reaves fought Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj. In his opinion, Reaves came away from that fight looking bad as the young blueliner got the better of him in the contest. He uses this as reasoning for the team to keep Xhekaj in the lineup while dissing Reaves at the same time.
Just so you know, ill explain something to you plain and simple. When you play your first game in Toronto after signing a 3 year deal, in front of your fans, you play rival team like Montreal. You're supposed to be the #1 heavyweight in the NHL, when a guy makes you look bad in a fight, because Xhekaj did made him look bad, you go again, not the next game, the same game. Xhekaj has nothing to prove!"
He also complimented current Canadiens enforcer Michael Pezzetta, who dropped the gloves with reaves yesterday. He gave him credit for the fact that he dropped the gloves with Reaves, despite a significant size difference. So far in his young career, Pezzetta has shown a willingness to fight just about anybody.
By the way, you have to love Pezz, he doesn't pick his spot, despite size difference, he goes toe to toe with anyone, if everyone in the Habs lineup played with his heart, the team would do much better!
Reaves and Pezzetta drop the gloves 👊
Laraque was no stranger to fisticuffs himself, having racked up over 1100 penalty minutes in 695 career games. He spent most of his career with the Edmonton Oilers, but ended it with a two-year stretch with his home town Canadiens.
