Maple Leafs Eye Ideal Free Agent to Replace Ryan Reaves This Offseason
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs might still want to add toughness to their roster, and instead of paying for Ryan Reaves, they should replace him with Tanner Jeannot.
It's more than likely that Ryan Reaves has played not only his last game with the Maple Leafs, but perhaps his career. But Toronto is still going to miss his locker room presence and intimidation factor, even if he wasn't really effective.
That's why Toronto needs to target Tanner Jeannot
So if Brad Treliving still wants to add toughness, grit, and frankly, nastiness into his team, then he should look to Tanner Jeannot, who not only offers the same as Reaves, but provides a bit more on the ice.
Elliotte Friedman explained on his 32 Thoughts podcast that a player like Jeannot could find himself with a decent amount of attention this upcoming free agency.
While he isn't going to blow you away offensively by any means, at least Jeannot has shown the ability to produce offense, and even had a surprising 24-goal campaign in 2021-22.
This past season Jeannot had 13 points in 67 games (7G, 6A) which is a huge offensive boost over Reaves, and still had 211 hits and 89 PIM in only 11:01 TOI.
Clearly not afraid to fight, Jeannot can at least provide decent defense on the fourth line, but his main use will be running roughshod over opponents at every turn.
Where Tanner Jeannot fits in with the Maple Leafs
Obviously it's going to be in a fourth-line capacity, and he won't play nearly as much as other players, but if he is surrounded by the right people, he could be a massive boost to the lineup.
If Toronto secures a 2/3C as well as John Tavares re-upping, Jeannot would most likely play with Scott Laughton and Pontus Holmberg or potentially a re-signed Steven Lorentz.
That trio is grittier than sand, and if Lorentz and Jeannot end up on the same line, you can expect a lot of energy and a lot of physicality (they combined for 410 hits this season alone).
He also fits in really well when it comes to the team's cap situation. He only cost $2.665M last season. That's certainly a bit of an overpayment for what he offers, so seeing Toronto offer a two or three-year deal similar to the ones Reaves signed is feasible.
Jeannot is younger (only 28), offers a lot more offensive upside than Reaves, and still employs that physicality the team wants so badly.
Ryan Reaves will be sorely missed in the locker room, but Tanner Jeannot will be remembered for what he does on the ice; if he signs that is.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 3 | 418 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Eye Ideal Free Agent to Replace Ryan Reaves This Offseason Should the Maple Leafs try and sign Tanner Jeannot this free agency? | ||
| Yes | 241 | 57.7 % |
| No | 177 | 42.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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