Photo: Toronto Star
The New York Rangers acquired right-wing Ryan Reaves from the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Ryan Reaves, acquired by NYR, Tom Wilson Tom Wilson Tom Wilson Tom Wilson, Tom Wilson. Tom Wilson Tom Wilson. #TomWilson pic.twitter.com/VPVAoGOGgk
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 30, 2021
The 34-year-old posted one goal, five points, and an even rating in 37 regular-season games and one assist in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He was suspended for two games for unsportsmanlike conduct against defenseman Ryan Graves in Game 1 of the Golden Knights’ second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche.
In 686 career regular-season games with the Golden Knights, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins, Reaves has recorded 49 goals, 101 points, a -15 rating, and 937 penalty minutes.
The acquisition comes after Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson pushed the Rangers’ players around a bit towards the end of last season, when he pummled left wing Pavel Buchnevich and right-wing Artemi Panarin down to the ice in the Capitals’ 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden on May 3, which he got fined $5,000 for. Neither Buchnevich nor Panarin played again after that.
The Rangers issued a statement criticizing the NHL Department of Player Safety the next day, calling head George Parros “unfit” for the position, which they got fined $250,000 for.
Two nights later, six fights occurred in the first 10 minutes of the Capitals’ 5-3 win, including three off of the opening faceoff and a bout between Wilson and defenseman Brendan Smith in the opening minute. Smith signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Reaves, who has one season remaining on a contract that pays him $1.75 million per season before he can become an unrestricted free agent, and Wilson have fought twice in their respective NHL careers before and have chirped at one another in past games between the Capitals and Golden Knights. That included a game on December 4, 2018, where Reaves targetted Wilson all game and concussed the 27-year-old, which forced Wilson to miss three games.
In addition to adding Reaves this offseason, the Rangers acquired 6’2″, 203-pound left wing Barclay Goodrow from the Tampa Bay Lightning; 6’2″, 205-pound left wing Sammy Blais from the St. Louis Blues (in addition to a second-round pick) that sent Buchnevich to the Gateway City; and 6’6″, 205-pound defenseman Jarred Tinordi in free agency.
Reaves and the Rangers visit Wilson and the Capitals on opening night, Wednesday, October 13, at Capital One Arena.
The Rangers now have $13,662,698 in salary cap space.
Ryan Reaves reportedly once said to a team “I am the solution to your Tom Wilson problem.” https://t.co/fcdcvVD0bx
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) July 30, 2021
By Harrison Brown
Wow. Willy is living rent free in all metro teams’ heads. All the Caps rivals build their team for one aspect and that is Wilson.
True story.
Rangers — continuing their dumbassery since that infamous game that caused them to overreact to Wilson, as in firing their GM, among other things.
OH well lets see what jackass moves that the rangers make and how the NHL responds.
It’s going to be interesting, right from the start. (Opening night)
Ugh, Reaves is a jackass
if there was a tom wilson problem the league wouldnt have had to make up the rules in order to suspend him
Headlines read: Reaves blindsided Wilson, then jumped on Wilson and pummeled him as Wilson lie defenseless and barely breathing through the blood oozing down his face. Wilson given a 20 game suspension and fined $100,000. Reaves given award for exemplary sportsmanship.