During this professional sports shutdown, I decided it would be a good time to profile each Vegas Golden Knights player. I will look at their skillset and then their overall season. I’m hoping to get each player done before the NHL is back up and running! We here at HockeyBuzz want to keep busy, giving you the hockey fix we all need!
In Vegas, there is only one man that can give Marc-Andre Fleury a run for his money as the biggest fan-favorite in town and that is Ryan Reaves. He is a big personality, plays hard on every shift, and likes to throw mitts and hits. What’s not to like for the general fan? He is the epitome of excitement. There’s never a dull moment when Reaves takes the ice, so let’s jump and in and look at the big fella.
Ryan Reaves celebrating (USA Today Sports)
Name: Ryan Reaves
Position: RW
Age: 33-years-old
Drafted: 2005, 5th Round (156th Overall)
Nickname: Reavo, The Grim Reaver, The Muffin Man
VGK Since: 2/23/2018 (Traded by Pitt)
Contract: $2.775 million AAV (pending UFA)
Biggest Strength:
Aggressiveness. That is Reaves’ game and that is his biggest strength. Every time he touches the ice, he gives the opposition something to think about, bringing a unique wrinkle into the game. He’s finds success getting in on the forecheck with his high motor, plus skating ability, and aggressiveness. It’s exponentially harder for the opposing defenseman to make plays out of their own end with 225 pounds worth of man flying at them. Making his life easier and avoidance impossible, is his linemate William Carrier who will just do the same on the other end, in the event a fleeing d-man heads his way.
Together with Carrier, Reaves gets the crowd on their feet at least once or twice a night. Any time he is near a puck, you can audibly hear the home crowd chanting “Reeeeeaaaavvvveeeeesssss” anticipating some fireworks. He has the Golden Knights faithful wrapped around his finger and it’s well-earned due to the passion, energy, and dedication he puts into his job and specifically his role on the team. Like him or hate him, he is useful in more ways than one and his aggressive nature has the ability to make him an invaluable asset to certain clubs.
Biggest Weakness:
Aggressiveness. This was listed above as his biggest strength and in his case, it can also be his biggest weakness. There are times when watching Reaves work, that the puck seems like an afterthought. That’s not entirely shocking for a man who earns his keep with physical play, but far too often, Reaves disregards the smart hockey play, for a big hit opportunity. Hitting is useful, especially when pinning defensemen in their own zone, but it can also be focused on far too often. Generally, Reaves balances the two well, but at times he gets himself too fired up and has been known to see red. Extra penalty minutes and dangerous plays ensue.
When he harnesses that aggressiveness and uses it properly, it’s a thing of beauty. In the case of Evander Kane (SJS), Reaves knows when to push the buttons. He knows when Kane, a similarly tempered man with more puck skill, is ready to explode and he exploits that. He prides himself on getting into other players’ heads and both Kane and Tom Wilson (WSH) can attest to both its effectiveness and its absurdity. When he’s on his game, Reaves is certainly an asset, but that aggressiveness can and has come back and bit the forward in the rear.
He doesn't shy away from the rough stuff (USA Today Sports)
2019-20 Season:
71 GP: 8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points, minus-5 rating, 54.4 CF%, -0.1 CF-rel, 97.2 PDO
As one of the last remaining “enforcers” in the NHL, Reaves does an exceptionally good job of providing useful minutes. He averages a mere 10:09 per game, but he’s noticeable when he’s out there. Together with William Carrier, Reaves brings a physical game, finishing checks and trying to take it to the opposition on the forecheck. He’s only fought three times this season and brings a big cap hit, but his eight goals are just fine for a man in his role. When given expanded responsibilities, Reaves shined on the Power Play, using his big body to screen the goalie and redirect pucks.
If deployed correctly and if he’s able to harness that aggressiveness, Reaves is an asset. The argument comes regarding his cap hit, which is abnormally high for a fourth-line grinder. Guys like Pierre-Edouard Bellemare ($1.8 million, 22 points), Nick Cousins ($1 million, 25 points), and Tomas Nosek ($1 million, 15 points) are doing work on the PK at a lower cost and similar or better production. It’s hard to tell if Reaves will be back next season, but with that cap hit, the market will shrink on the aging physical winger. He plays hard each shift and at 33-years-old is on the back nine of his NHL career.
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