Long-time rival of the San Jose Sharks, Ryan Reaves, will attempt to win over the fans this season.
While a spot on the NHL roster isn’t set in stone, Reaves is excited to be part of the Sharks organization. The 38-year-old is in the final year of a three-year deal with an average value of $1.35 million.
He originally signed the contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs but spent the majority of the 2024-2025 season as a scratch before being sent down. In 35 games, the winger had two assists and 28 PIMS.
“The fit wasn’t right. Maybe they just didn’t see the fit for me there. There were a lot of valleys, not many peaks, last year,” Reaves said. “I’m fired up. I want to come here, I want to help. I want to prove I got another year or two left in me to help change the course of this franchise.”
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“My booty is a little sore today.” Ryan Reaves says #SJSharks HC Ryan Warsofsky is skating the team hard. He did the interview shirtless as well. Quite the Reavo entrance— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) September 18, 2025
The Sharks have had Reaves on a line with Barclay Goodrow and Adam Gaudette. Ryan Warsofsky says Gaudette will play down the middle to start, meaning this could be the 4th line to start the year.
“I’ve never had a good year out east, for some reason,” Reaves said. “I’ve had okay parts of seasons, but I’ve always liked being in the West a lot more. I’m glad I landed out here.”
Mario Ferraro has already been a loud voice in the locker room, but the addition of Reaves gives the San Jose Sharks an even bigger presence that has been missing.
“I’m definitely not a quiet person. It’s gonna be a louder room this year,” Reaves said.
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As for being a rival to the Sharks for a long time, Reaves knows he’s got to win over the fans.
“I hope so, because I’m sure they don’t love me very much, but hopefully they do now,” Reaves said about the fans liking him.
Reaves says Macklin Celebrini is underrated
It is no secret that Macklin Celebrini will be a superstar in the NHL. For Reaves, he still thinks that Celebrini doesn’t get the respect he truly deserves.
“I don’t think he gets enough respect, that’s for sure. I watched him play last year; he’s up there with some of those [top] guys, if not better than some of those guys that people put ahead of him,” Reaves explained. “He works hard. He plays the right way. You can see it just in the 5-on-5 and 4-on-4 skates that we had before camp. I expect a big year, just like I’m sure he does.”
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One thing is clear about Reaves: he’s always got his eyes on the rest of the league. Celebrini made headlines with his play last season, and it appears Reaves and the rest of the league took notice.
Celebrini was invited to Team Canada’s Orientation Camp for the 2026 Olympics, signaling that the San Jose Sharks forward has a chance. Despite that, Reaves still thinks Celebrini deserves even more praise.
“I think guys put maybe Bedard and some of these other guys much further ahead of him. And I don’t see it that way at all,” Reaves said. “I didn’t see it that way last year. I think he’s a better player.”
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard and Celebrini practiced together in Vancouver over the off-season.
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