"For three hours, I hate 'em more than anything": Ex-Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves reveals true feelings about former team

Ryan Reaves returned to Scotiabank Arena on Thursday for the first time since being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the San Jose Sharks in July.

Following the game, Reaves did not hold back on his feelings toward his former team.

“I still love all those guys, but for three hours I hate ’em more than anything,” Reaves said. “Fun going against them and getting a win.”

He also credited ex-teammate Auston Matthews for one of the few light moments of the night. When asked about his own best chirp from the game, Reaves said:

“Man, I don’t even know… Probably when I hit him and he said he was scared.”

Mark Masters

@markhmasters

Best chirp of the night? Ryan Reaves credits Auston Matthews "Probably when I hit him & he said he was scared (🙂) ... I still love all those guys, but for three hours I hate'em more than anything. Fun going against them & getting a win"

Reaves was traded to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun after two seasons with the Leafs during which he recorded four goals and four assists in 84 games while serving primarily as a physical enforcer‑style winger. His current contract, with an average annual value of $1.35 million, runs through the 2025‑26 season.

Thursday’s game ended with the Sharks rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat Toronto 3‑2 in overtime. Dakota Joshua and Auston Matthews scored for the Leafs, while Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg brought the Sharks level before Alexander Wennberg scored the overtime winner.

Reaves skated on San Jose’s fourth line and did not register a point but delivered the physical presence expected of him logging over nine minutes of ice time.

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Ryan Reaves admitted having a chip on his shoulder after Leafs exit

Prior to the game when speaking to the media Thursday, Reaves addressed the end of his time with the Maple Leafs and his motivations heading into the fixture.

When asked if he has a chip on his shoulder, he admitted:

“Yeah, absolutely. They basically said I couldn’t play in this league anymore. And I’m back.”

Reaves’ exit from Toronto was difficult. He played only 35 games last season, was frequently a healthy scratch and was placed on waivers just before the trade deadline. After clearing waivers, he spent three games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies before being traded to San Jose.

Reflecting on his departure, Reaves said:

“Not just that situation. I think there’s just some situations that could’ve been handled differently. At the time, I’d been in the league for 15 years. I think just a little honesty and some communication would’ve been nice.”

“But like I said, every team handles things differently. It is what it is. I ended up in a great organization in San Jose. I’m having a great time playing here. So I guess it was just a stepping stone to get here,” he added.

Since joining the Sharks, Reaves has taken on a more consistent role than he had in Toronto. He has played 25 of San Jose’s 31 games this season recording two goals while averaging just over seven and a half minutes of ice time.