The Vegas Golden Knights announced this afternoon they signed forward Ryan Reaves to a two-year contract extension worth $3.5 million. The contract carries a salary-cap hit of $1.75 million.
Ryan Reaves has some news for ya ? #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/4Mc1AWgiBJ
— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 15, 2020
Golden Knights Extend Reaves
Reaves made the official announcement himself on the Golden Knights Twitter page. He prefaced the reasons for coming back one was to win a Stanley Cup, which the Golden Knights have the opportunity to do this year. He then joked about how he wants to win the scoring title coming just a bit short this season. While the scoring title is out of reach, Reaves is not your typical enforcer. While Reaves is known for his physicality, he has the ability to score goals on occasion.
Reaves was originally drafted in the fifth round with 156th pick by the St. Louis Blues. In his 11 seasons in the NHL, Reaves has played on three teams. They include the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Golden Knights. Reaves spent seven seasons with the Blues before the team traded him to the Penguins prior to the start of the 2017-18 season. The Penguins were bringing him to add muscle to the lineup as they looked to three-peat. His tenure with the Penguins only lasted for 58 games as he was traded to the Golden Knights.
Reaves paid immediate dividends for the Golden Knights. He brought the same game to Vegas as he did with the Penguins. As part of the inaugural season, Reaves and the Golden Knights made it all the way to the 2018 Stanely Cup Final losing to the Washington Capitals in five games. Reaves played a pivotal role in scoring the series-winning goal over the Winnipeg Jets in the Western Conference Finals that year. On July 1, 2018, Reaves signed a two-year contract with the Golden Knights.
This season Reaves has 15 points (eight goals and seven assists) in 71 games this season for the Golden Knights. For his career, he has recorded 96 points (48 goals and 48 assists) in 649 career NHL games.
Going Forward
For Reaves and the Golden Knights, they have a great opportunity to win the Stanley Cup this season and going forward. Reaves continues to bring a physical aspect necessary in the playoffs. He is the perfect player for the Golden Knights. While he might not provide the scoring touch necessary to win the scoring title, he can score a timely goal here and there. Not to mention he helps boost morale on and off the ice. Reaves is the type of player you want on your team, but hate playing against. Plus he is the type of player you win with.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
