The new-look Rangers are making it clear this offseason that they will not be pushed around on the ice.
After the new regime took over and stressed the importance of adding more toughness to its roster, New York continued to back those words up on Thursday, acquiring forward Ryan Reaves from Las Vegas for a third-round pick in next year’s draft.
Reaves, one of the last of a dying breed of true enforcers, has experience playing for new Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant from their shared time with the Golden Knights. The 34-year-old joins recent acquisitions Barclay Goodrow, Patrik Nemeth and Sammy Blais in New York’s recent efforts to add toughness and physicality, and area of the team’s game that many considered to be lacking in recent seasons.
Reaves played in 37 games last season and tallied just five points, averaging just under 10 minutes of ice time per game, but added three fighting majors to his career total, which now stands at 71. He also led Vegas in hits.
While he is known for his fearlessness when it comes to dropping the gloves or protecting a teammate, he has also brought in his share of controversy over the years. Just this past postseason, he was suspended for two games for roughing Ryan Graves in game one of the second round against Colorado, and many expected a suspension in the previous round when he hit Ryan Suter from behind, but no suspension was given.
Reaves has one year left on his contract and carried a $1.75 million cap hit.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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