Ryan Reaves Eyes Final NHL Season as He Approaches Milestone

Ryan Reaves has long been a figure of intrigue in the NHL, known for his tough style of play and larger-than-life personality since his debut with the St. Louis Blues during the 2010-11 season. As he contemplates his future, the 39-year-old enforcer is eyeing a chance to reach a significant career milestone: 1,000 NHL games played.

Typically, enforcers struggle to enjoy lengthy careers in the league, making Reaves’ potential achievement even more remarkable. If he secures an NHL contract for the 2026-27 season, he would need to participate in just 38 games to reach that coveted mark.

Recently appearing on TSN’s 1050 in Toronto, Reaves shared his ambitions for the upcoming season. “Playing 1,000 games in the NHL is an honor, for sure, especially in the role that I play,” he stated during his interview on the show First Up. “But I’ve been training all summer already, and the body’s holding up pretty well. I just think I got one more left in the tank.”

Reaves reflected on the wisdom imparted to him by veteran players throughout his career. “One [piece of] advice that has been consistent throughout all of them is, ‘Always play as long as you possibly can, because when it’s over, it’s over, and you’re gonna miss it,’” he said. He is determined to avoid the regret of wondering what might have been. “I think one more year would be fun, and to say I played to 40 would also be kind of fun, too.”

His career has been diverse, with Reaves spending seven seasons with the Blues, where he played 419 games, in addition to 214 games with their AHL affiliate. Following his tenure in St. Louis, he suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks, accumulating 66 goals and 140 points over 962 games. His physical style has earned him 1,137 penalty minutes, placing him seventh among active players.

At 6-foot-2, Reaves continues to be a formidable presence on the ice, although he has faced challenges in maintaining effectiveness in recent years beyond his role as a fighter. As he approaches this potential final chapter, he may need to sign a professional tryout contract before securing a regular NHL deal.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.