Ryan Reaves reveals he was ready to throw down with Matt Rempe leading up to Saturday’s clash with Rangers

By Evan Bell

Modified Oct 24, 2024 18:57 GMT

Last season, Toronto MapleLeafs forward Ryan Reaves dropped the gloves with Matt Rampe, delivering an instant classic as the two traded blows. Leading up to the clash between the Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers last weekend, fans were expecting them to drop the gloves for round two, but it did not happen.

Ahead of Thursday's game between the Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues, Reaves' first NHL team, he was asked about the situation by media members, who were eager to find out why he and Matt Rempe did not fight again.

TSN's Mark Masters relayed a quote from Reaves, who told those in attendance that he warned Rempe pregame that if he decided to do something, they could throw down.

"I told him, 'If you go out and do something,' I would give him one and he buried his own player," Reaves said. "That was about it, so not much going on."

While there was no fight between the two players, Reaves and the Maple Leafs ended up on the wrong side of a beatdown, losing the home game 4-1.

Former Maple Leafs standout Jay Rosehill questions why Ryan Reaves hasn't been dropping the gloves this season

Ryan Reaves' decision to not drop the gloves with Matt Rempe on Saturday wasn't the first time he's turned down an opportunity to trade blows with an opposing player.

While he's been known as a willing participant when it comes to fighting throughout his career, Ryan Reaves has shown little interest in it this season.

In addition to his reluctance to fight Matt Rempe, he was also not interested in throwing hands with Arber Xhekaj earlier in the season, which has left Jay Rosehill baffled.

"Just doesn't seem to be happening, and in both games where you could've used one, right?" Rosehill said on Monday on 'Leafs Morning Take.' "You know when you're down and looking for some life, that's a good way to do it."

"And he doesn't seem to be too interested so far this year, which makes me kinda scratch my head. But, not coming down on Reavo or anything yet, just curious as to why not in those games where it could've benefited your team."

While Ryan Reaves is avoiding fights and spending less time in the penalty box, he hasn't been as effective as the Maple Leafs would've liked. In five games this season, he hasn't logged a single point and has a cumulative -3 plus/minus on the year.

He'll have another chance to find the back of the net on Thursday against the Blues at home.