Maple Leafs Ryan Reaves Demoted after Refusing to Drop the Gloves with Arber Xhekaj

The Toronto Maple Leafs were hoping to start last night's season off with a bang against the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs things fell flat and the team struggled to find offense. After going down 1-0 the Maple Leafs were looking for momentum and Ryan Reaves had a perfect opportunity to seize the moment but failed to take it.

During the game Montreal Canadiens forward Arber Xhekaj challenged Ryan Reaves to a fight. This would have been the moment for Ryan Reaves to give his team momentum. Instead, Reaves backed away from Xhekaj and refused to fight him.

Tonight the Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to get back on track. The Maple Leafs face off against the New Jersey Devils. This would also be a chance for Ryan Reaves to get back on track however it seems head coach Craig Berube has other plans.

This morning the Toronto Maple Leafs took the ice for morning skate to get themselves right before their game against the New Jersey Devils. Shockingly Ryan Reaves was seen on the ice with the expected scratches. This now means that forward Bobby McMann will get his first taste of action.

With this news, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to take a more offensive approach to their game against the New Jersey Devils. This strategy likely comes after the Maple Leafs were shut out last night by Sam Montembeault in an epic performance.

Ryan Reaves is not the only surprising lineup news this afternoon as the Maple Leafs shocked a lot of people with their goaltending choice tonight. The Maple Leafs will once again be starting Anthony Stolarz in the net. Stolarz will go back to back after many fans expected to see a change.

In the long run Ryan Reaves being the odd man out on occasion isn't all that surprising. He fills a singular role on most nights in the lineup and against teams who are less filled with grit and enforcers he is not needed. His lack of versatility was talked about all through the offseason asdebate began about if Reaves was worth keeping.

The Maple Leafs will be looking to take out their former head coach Sheldon Keefe in his first time coaching against the team since being fired. Without Ryan Reaves, the Maple Leafs open themselves up to be taken advantage of physically but the added offense could be worth the risk.