Maple Leafs faceoff challenge with Reaves’ departure
The Toronto Maple Leafs have navigated a whirlwind summer, making significant roster changes that have left fans buzzing with anticipation. While star forward Mitch Marner made headlines for his own offseason moves, the departure of Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks has raised eyebrows. In exchange, the Maple Leafs welcomed defenseman Henry Thrun to their lineup. Additionally, the team bolstered its ranks by trading for Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks, but the question remains: Can they fill the void left by Reaves?
Concerns over enforcement in the lineup
The Maple Leafs’ strategy has come under scrutiny, particularly regarding their physicality on the ice. Sportsnet analyst Sam McKee voiced concerns about the team’s lack of enforcers during a recent episode of the Real Kyper & Bourne show. He pointed out the critical need for a “heavy” presence, especially to counter the tough competitors within the division.
Discussion turned to a recent preseason skirmish between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, highlighting a noticeable uptick in fighting throughout the NHL. “I’ll go back to 4 Nations and the ‘nine seconds,’” Kypreos remarked, referencing the physicality that has been creeping back into the game. “This stuff is making its way back.”
Bourne acknowledged the shifting dynamics of the sport, suggesting that while speed and skill dominate discussions about the NHL’s future, physicality remains a core aspect. “It can only go so far; it’s a physical, contact, competitive sport,” he noted.
Facing off against rivals
With Reaves no longer in the fold, the Maple Leafs find themselves at a disadvantage against teams with heavy hitters like Arber Xhekaj. McKee emphasized this point, questioning how the Leafs plan to respond to tough players like Xhekaj and his ilk. “The Leafs are going to have to face two Xhekajs… so they’re going to have to send out Pezzetta to deal with those guys?” he asked, reflecting on the team’s current options.
McKee lamented the loss of Reaves, who had provided a physical presence that many fans overlooked during his tenure. “Everyone hated on Ryan Reaves for two years, but it was nice having a heavy to deal with these guys in the division; the McEwans, the Xhekajs,” he said.
Assessing the Maple Leafs’ fighting capabilities
When evaluating the current roster, McKee assessed several players’ fighting abilities, pointing to Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, and Easton Cowan as potential contributors. However, he remained skeptical. “Lorentz isn’t going to fight anybody,” he reasoned. “Laughton might look at him funny, but he’s not going to fight. Cowan’s not going to fight. I guess it’s Dakota Joshua, right? Who else?”
While Joshua offers some toughness, he’s not considered a true heavyweight. “(Joshua’s) not exactly a heavy; he’s willing,” McKee added, reflecting on the team’s need for someone who can genuinely engage in physical confrontations.
The stats behind fighting in hockey
Fighting has long been a part of hockey culture, so much so that dedicated resources track the frequency and intensity of bouts in the sport. Over the last three seasons, Reaves engaged in 15 fights, with seven each in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, and one in 2024-25. In contrast, Joshua participated in 10 fights during the same timeframe, dropping the gloves four times in both the recent seasons, and twice the previous year.
Other players on the roster have seen less action in the fighting department. Laughton recorded just three fights over the last two seasons, while Lorentz managed to throw down only once last year and once during the 2021-22 playoffs. On the other hand, Max Domi, who has established himself as a more frequent combatant, has engaged in 12 fights, with a notable uptick in activity over the recent seasons.
The heavyweight competition
As far as competition goes, Xhekaj stands out as a heavyweight presence, having fought six times last year, seven times the year prior, and nine times during the 2022-23 season. He has racked up a total of 22 fights over the last three seasons. The question of whether the Maple Leafs need a direct answer for Xhekaj remains debatable, but the team does have players who could step up in physical situations if necessary.
As the Maple Leafs prepare for the upcoming season, one thing is clear: they face a pivotal challenge in replacing the kind of physical presence that Reaves brought to the ice. With rival teams growing tougher, Toronto’s ability to adapt could determine their success in a league increasingly defined by both skill and strength.
