231114 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session with Toronto Maple Leafs on November 14, 2023 in Stockholm. Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRAN / kod JZ / JZ0449 / SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY - NO SYNDICATION ishockey Ice hockey, Eishockey NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA national hockey league träning practice toronto maple leafs *** 231114 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session with Toronto Maple Leafs on November 14, 2023 in Stockholm Photo Jesper Zerman BILDBYRAN code JZ JZ0449 SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY NO SYNDICATION ishockey ice hockey nhl national hockey league träning practice toronto maple leafs PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: JESPERxZERMAN BB231114JZ071
231114 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session with Toronto Maple Leafs on November 14, 2023 in Stockholm. Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRAN / kod JZ / JZ0449 / SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY - NO SYNDICATION ishockey Ice hockey, Eishockey NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA national hockey league träning practice toronto maple leafs *** 231114 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session with Toronto Maple Leafs on November 14, 2023 in Stockholm Photo Jesper Zerman BILDBYRAN code JZ JZ0449 SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY NO SYNDICATION ishockey ice hockey nhl national hockey league träning practice toronto maple leafs PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: JESPERxZERMAN BB231114JZ071
NHL star Ryan Reaves might be hitting the 40-mark soon. But his latest admission revealed that he’s all set and geared up to take the ice for one more season.
“I’ve been training all summer already, and the body is holding up pretty well. I just think I’ve got one more left in the tank,” Reaves said in his recent appearance on TSN1050’s First Up. “I think one more year would be fun and to say I played at 40 would also be fun, too.”
The 39-year-old spent the 2025-26 season with the San Jose Sharks after the team acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in mid-July. However, he recorded only 3 goals across 50 games, stacking up 37 penalty minutes and a -12 rating.
231115 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session during the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Global Series on November 15, 2023 in Stockholm. Photo: Maxim Thorà / BILDBYRAN / kod MT SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY - NO SYNDICATION ishockey Ice hockey, Eishockey nhl global series practice träning training *** 231115 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session during the NHL Global Series on November 15, 2023 in Stockholm Photo Maxim Thorà BILDBYRAN kod MT SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY NO SYNDICATION ishockey ice hockey nhl global series practice träning training PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: MAXIMxTHORE BB231115MT078
231115 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session during the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Global Series on November 15, 2023 in Stockholm. Photo: Maxim Thorà / BILDBYRAN / kod MT SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY - NO SYNDICATION ishockey Ice hockey, Eishockey nhl global series practice träning training *** 231115 Ryan Reaves of Toronto Maple Leafs during a practice session during the NHL Global Series on November 15, 2023 in Stockholm Photo Maxim Thorà BILDBYRAN kod MT SWEDEN AND NORWAY ONLY NO SYNDICATION ishockey ice hockey nhl global series practice träning training PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: MAXIMxTHORE BB231115MT078
But the NHL awards a silver stick to players reaching 1000 games, and Reaves isn’t exactly too far from getting one. In his 16 NHL seasons, he has dressed for 962 games. So, hitting the ice for 38 more would be great.
“Playing 1000 games in the NHL is an honour for sure, especially in the role that I play,” he added to the same segment. “The older guys have given me advice… that is, play as long as you possibly can, because when it’s over, it’s over… I don’t want to have that regret.”
So, one more season is what Reaves is looking for. However, there isn't much to look at so far.
Obstacles to Ryan Reaves' Final Season
His season with the Sharks was limited to 50 games due to a hand injury. Now that GM Mike Grier has added former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mason Marchment and signed forward Zack Ostapchuk to a 4-year, $9.4M extension, a reunion will be tough. But the search is ongoing.
“We’re talking to a couple of teams but no offers,” he added to the same segment. “Interest doesn’t pay the bills and interest doesn’t get you on the ice. I think at my age, I’m going to be one of the last puzzle pieces for some teams. And I’m fine with that.”
“I’m hoping an offer comes somewhat soon,” he said further. “I’ve got to get the kids into school and on hockey teams and gymnastics and all that. So that’s part of the business.”
After touring around the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Maple Leafs and lastly the Sharks, it’ll be interesting to see where Reaves ends up for his last season, if there comes any.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy