The NY Rangers should not trade Ryan Reaves anytime soon
Last offseason the NY Rangers were a team who was looking to make additions to help make them a playoff team. One of the additions they made, was trading for Ryan Reaves. Ryan Reaves was the enforcer the Rangers needed but now could be traded to help make more cap room to re-sign Tyler Motte. While the Rangers should try to keep Motte, it should not come at the expense of Ryan Reaves.
Last summer the Rangers traded a 2022 third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Ryan Reaves. Chris Drury a few days later would sign Reaves to a one-year $1.75 million contract extension.
While I had always liked Ryan Reaves I was hesitant about bringing in a 34-year-old enforcer, but he showed he could still play the enforcer role. Reaves would go on to have five goals and 13 points in 69 games played. Reaves also had 279 hits, which was third in the NHL. Reaves was not brought in for his goal-scoring but for the presence he brings.
The NY Rangers should keep Ryan Reaves
Reaves only had three fights last year in his first season on broadway. Reaves’ presence also helps the skill guys play looser. They know that if someone takes a run at them it will result in a fight. Look at Pat Maroon last year after taking a run at Shesterkin.
Another example of what Reaves’ presence does is what happened during the Carolina series. After all three losses in New York, Carolina’s fourth line tried to muck things up. Right in the middle of things were Trouba and Reaves making sure things never got past some word exchanges, and a few shoves.
Tyler Motte is a good player and played well for the Rangers after coming over from the deadline. He only played in nine regular seasons games, but he showed his value when he came back from his injury in game six of the Pittsburgh series. He has a game made for the postseason and it showed.
Hot. Chris Drury understood the assignment in NHL Free Agency. light
As much as I would like for the Rangers to bring back Motte, I don’t think it’s in the cards right now. The Rangers only have $4.8 million in cap space according to Cap Friendly, and still need to sign Kaapo Kakko. I would much rather see someone like Johnny Brodzinski play that role if it means keeping Reaves.