Is the suspension of Ryan Reaves a deal-breaker for the Maple Leafs?
It looks like the Leafs are managing quite well despite the absence of Ryan Reaves who had a five-game suspension for a head check on Darnell Nurse.
With Nurse sidelined due to injury, the incident sparked debate on Ryan Reave's physicality versus his overall impact on the team.
His suspension isn't considered a big loss given his limited ice time and offensive contribution with the Leafs.
Toronto has several options to replace him on the fourth line including recalling players from the Marlies like Alex Steeves who could offer head coach Craig Berube a chance to experiment with the lineup.
On the defensive side, the pairing of Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev seems to have solidified and they are better after each game.
Chris Tanev's shot-blocking and physical presence have made a significant impact since the beginning of the year, as noted in the recent overtime win against Edmonton, where he had a season-high of eight block shots.
While Tanev has settled in well, questions remain about the fit of Jani Hakanpaa alongside Morgan Rielly due to Jani Hakanpaa's mobility issues who brings a lot of difficulties for the pairing.
As for the offensive struggles, Max Domi's scoreless streak has now extended to 13 games, and this is despite his efforts, so he may seem to be dealing with an undisclosed issue affecting his play.
On a positive note, Mitch Marner continues to shine in overtime, scoring quickly and leading the Leafs to a strong home record against the Oilers.
Overall, Toronto's depth is being tested but so far they seem well-prepared to handle these challenges and especially with a solid core on defense and strong performances in important moments.
Having said all of that, the Leafs are currently on a nice run where they have won five of their last six. They also have a record of 11-6-2.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 18 | 242 ANSWERS Is the suspension of Ryan Reaves a deal-breaker for the Maple Leafs? Do you think Ryan Reaves is an essential part of the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 137 | 56.6 % |
| No | 105 | 43.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
