Reaves Wants One More NHL Season, Eyes 1,000 Games

Ryan Reaves isn’t ready to walk away.

The 39-year-old enforcer told TSN1050’s First Up on Thursday that he has trained all summer and wants one more crack at the NHL. He sits 38 games short of 1,000 for his career, a milestone he would love to reach before he is done.

Reaves was asked about closing in on that number.

“Playing 1000 games in the NHL is an honour for sure, especially in the role that I play. I’ve been training all summer already and the body is holding up pretty well. I just think I’ve got one more left in the tank.”

Here’s Reaves on First Up:

The advice from older players stuck with him. Keep going as long as you can, because it ends before you know it.

“I don’t want to have that regret. I think one more year would be fun and to say I played at 40 would also be fun, too.”

The holdup is simple. No team has put an offer on the table yet.

Reaves said his camp has been in touch with a few clubs while he waits for something to land.

“We’re talking to a couple of teams but no offers. Interest doesn’t pay the bills and interest doesn’t get you on the ice. I think at my age, I’m going to be one of the last puzzle pieces for some teams and I’m fine with that.”

The milestone is right there. Reaves needs just 38 games to join the 1,000-game club:

He built a 16-year career on being the guy nobody wants to line up against. Take a look back at the role he plays:

Reaves spent last season in San Jose after an offseason trade from Toronto. He scored three goals in 50 games before a hand injury cut his year short. A reunion with the Sharks looks unlikely after they added Mason Marchment and handed Zack Ostapchuk a four-year extension.

He also spent part of the summer at the NHL’s broadcast boot camp, so a second career is waiting whenever he wants it. He just isn’t ready to take it.