The Toronto Maple Leafs shocked the NHL by finding a willing trade partner to take Ryan Reaves off their hands. The Leafs dumped the final year of Reaves’ contract on the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun late Thursday night.
The most surprising part of the trade was not the fact that the Sharks took on Reaves’ $1.35 million cap hit. The biggest surprise was that the Maple Leafs managed to get a useful asset in return.
The Leafs got 24-year-old Henry Thrun, a former fourth-round pick by the Anaheim Ducks in 2019, in exchange for Reaves. The one-for-one swap essentially sent depth pieces in different directions. But considering how the Detroit Red Wings gifted Vladimir Tarasenko to the Minnesota Wild, it’s a huge win for the Leafs to have gotten an NHL-level player back.
Most likely, Thrun heads down to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies next season. But Thrun could have a place with the Maple Leafs as a seventh or eighth defenseman. His $1 million cap hit could be buried in the AHL if cap constraints became an issue at any point.
As for Reaves, he most certainly suits up for the Sharks next season. Reaves can provide grit and toughness to a Sharks team that’s nowhere near competing for a playoff spot next season. So, adding Reaves is hardly a problem for the club.
Maple Leafs Move on from Reaves Days after He Calls Out Club
Curiously, Ryan Reaves was traded days after an interview surfaced in which he called out the Maple Leafs and their treatment of former teammate Mitch Marner.
Heavy’s Cole Shelton did a stellar job covering the interview. Check it out for more details on what Reaves expressed in that conversation.
So, the timing of this trade is interesting. In all likelihood, one thing has nothing to do with the other. For all anyone knows, this deal had been in the works for some time. But given its relatively low bearing on the overall scope of the NHL offseason, it didn’t materialize until now.
This point is hearsay and merely speculation. But one does have to wonder at the precise timing of the move.
Henry Thrun Could Factor into NHL Blue Line
The Maple Leafs have been rumored to be seeking an upgrade in their blue line. Thrun is hardly said upgrade. But he could factor into the Leafs’ blue line nonetheless. As it stands, the Leafs have their top-six NHL defenseman signed and ready for next season.
Prior to Thrun’s acquisition, Philippe Myers was slated as the Maple Leafs’ seventh defenseman. Thrun could now compete for the seventh defenseman spot. However, Thrun is a left-shot while Myers is a right-shot.
Considering the cap space the Leafs still have, the team could afford to carry eight defenseman heading into the season. The club could use the extra bodies, considering that three of the top six D-men are over 30. So, rest and time off could play a factor for the Leafs’ blue liners next season.
Overall, Henry Thrun was a massive acquisition for Ryan Reaves. The Leafs got a serviceable NHL blue liner for a player who could have been easily traded for future considerations.
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