Ryan Reaves didn’t hide his feelings ahead of his return to Toronto, offering what sounded like a veiled dig at the Maple Leafs. Reaves was traded to the San Jose Sharks in July 2025 after his role with the Maple Leafs collapsed. Reaves spent long stretches as a healthy scratch last season, was sent to the AHL, and produced only two assists in 35 games. Feeling the team no longer trusted him and wanting steady minutes, he asked for a move to get a fresh start.Months later, on Thursday, speaking to reporters before the Sharks face his former team, Ryan Reaves was asked whether he carried a chip on his shoulder. Reaves said he did, saying, "Yeah, absolutely. I mean, you know, they basically said that I couldn't play in this league anymore, and I'm back. So, yeah. I think throughout the year, you know, not just that situation, I think there's just some situations that could have been handled differently."He hinted at frustration with how his exit unfolded, noting that after 15 years in the NHL, he expected clearer communication. "You know, at the time, I'd been in the league for fifteen years, and I think just a little honesty and some communication would have been nice," Reaves said. "But like I said, every team handles things differently, and it is what it is."Still, he said he has settled in well with San Jose and views Toronto as a mere stepping stone."You know, I ended up in a great organization in San Jose, and I'm having a great time playing there," Reaves said. "So, it was just a stepping stone to get here."This season, Ryan Reaves has two goals in 25 games, playing under eight minutes a night, but giving the Sharks a much-needed energy. His physical play and his presence help shape matchups in bottom-six shifts. His addition has added grit to San Jose’s depth.Ryan Reaves' summer comments on Leafs' fan baseRyan Reaves' comments add a new chapter to a long stretch of friction dating back to last summer. Reaves drew attention when he defended Mitch Marner’s move out of Toronto and brushed off backlash from fans, calling the city both a hockey mecca and a market where criticism can turn harsh. "Toronto is a hockey mecca of the world," Reaves said, referring tothe Leafs' fanbase. "You’re going to have people that love you… and then, you’re gonna have the Twitter heroes that are sitting in their mom’s basement chirping every single move and every single word that you say."San Jose enters the matchup at 14-14-3, while the Maple Leafs sit at 14-11-4 and still search for consistency. It will be interesting to see whether Ryan Reaves’ words spark extra bite on the ice.