As Ryan Reaves wraps up his one-year, $1.75 million deal with Chris Drury in New York, NHL fans everywhere are wondering where he'll end up next. There's no doubt that wherever he goes, his physical presence and ability to create space on the ice will be highly valued.
Although fighting has become less common in the NHL due to the instigator rule and the need for teams to have four competitive lines, Reaves could still be a valuable asset. Signing him to a one-year discount deal would allow him to protect the young players coming up in the system, including Connor Bedard.
Overall, the Blackhawks could benefit from Reaves' grit and toughness, especially since they currently lack physical players after losing Lafferty and McCabe to Toronto. I