Ryan Reaves sends a message to the Montreal Canadiens following Arber Xhekaj's violent attack on Cedric Pare
Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves has finally spoken about the incident between Cedric Pare & Arber Xhekaj that occurred after Patrik Laine's unfortunate injury.
During the Maple Leafs preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens, Cedric Pare collided knee on knee with Canadiens forward Patrik Laine causing a serious injury that left Laine needing help off the ice. In response, Montreal enforcer Arber Xhekaj attacked Pare, which led to Xhekaj being ejected and fined.
Reaves, who didn't play in that game, addressed the incident after practice, trying to calm the situation. He said:
Reaves also acknowledged Xhekaj's role, saying:
The incident has angered Canadiens fans and intensified the rivalry between the two teams. Many, including Canadiens' head coach Martin St. Louis, have called for some form of punishment for Pare. However, the league has not issued any suspension or further action.
During the same game, Maple Leafs defenseman Marshall Rifai fought with Canadiens forward Juraj Slavkofsky, which Reaves appreciated, though he noted he could help next time:
With the regular season approaching, it's possible Reaves could be in the lineup for opening night, especially if Xhekaj is playing. Toronto will need Reaves' presence to prevent any potential retaliation or further escalation. Having Reaves on the ice could provide enough protection so the Leafs don't need to worry about headhunting or vigilantism.
