Ryan Reaves had a disappointing start to his Toronto Maple Leafs career, however, he has done a complete 180 to improve his game. Now, he has opened up about his struggles.
When Ryan Reaves was signed to his 3-year deal by new GM Brad Treliving, it was clear that
Treliving was sending a message that the Leafs needed to get tougher. At the outset of the season, Reaves filled this role nicely, dropping the gloves in a few of his first games as a Leaf.
However, he started to struggle on the Leafs' fourth line and eventually dropped out of the lineup with an injury and then due to healthy scratches. Despite this, he found his way back into the lineup and has seemingly turned his game around completely.
He has now opened up about his early season struggles, saying he lacked confidence in the early games with the Leafs.
"Used that as a mini training camp," Reaves said of his six-week absence from the lineup. "I worked on everything that I could. I was doing two-, three-a-days (training sessions) sometimes.
"Just trying to get confidence back."
"Confidence is a real thing," Reaves said. "First time I've probably gone through something like that in my career where I just felt like nothing was going right. I just felt like I had no confidence. Used that opportunity to try and build it back."
Having Reaves at the top of his game going into playoffs is a huge asset for the Leafs. If he can be part of the Leafs' viable fourth line for game 1 against a team like Boston or Florida, that toughness will likely pay huge dividends down the line.
Reaves has already shown he can stand up to some of Florida's instigators.It's clear the Leafs have a new look this season, and it is almost time to see if it will result in post-season success.
As seen on Hockey Feed - "
Ryan Reaves admits the sad truth on early-season struggles"
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