Ryan Reaves has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his latest comments about the Mitch Marner-to-Vegas saga have only fueled the fire.

As rumors swirled about his role in Marner’s departure from Toronto, Reaves decided to address the whispers head-on, offering a candid perspective that pulls back the curtain on what really happened behind the scenes.

His honesty about his friendship with Marner and his genuine love for Las Vegas paint a picture of loyalty and transparency, even as the Maple Leafs and their fans scramble to move forward.

In a summer filled with major moves and shifting allegiances, Reaves’ words stand out—not just for their bluntness, but for the way they highlight the personal bonds and tough decisions that shape today’s NHL.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Reaves is determined to set the record straight, no matter what anyone thinks.

Photo credit: Hockey Patrol

Ryan Reaves was candid in trying to set the record straight on whether or not he had a hand in persuading Mitch Marner to leave Toronto for Vegas he explained to Leafs Morning Take on Monday.

Mitch Marner’s sign and trade with Vegas happened three weeks ago, and while a lot has happened between then and now, one thing is certain; Toronto is trying their best to move on.

But they didn’t move on from just Marner, but veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves after dishing him to the Sharks for Henry Thrun. There were suspicions that the veteran was sent out due to his support of Marner going to Vegas, and wants to set the record straight.

Reaves lays it out regarding Marner heading to Vegas

Speaking on Leafs Morning Take, Reaves was blunt in explaining his role in Marner’s decision to head to Vegas and revealed honesty was his first goal in discussing things with Marner:

Besides the fact that I already knew I was getting shipped off, let’s leave that aside. Mitchy was hitting free agency, right? And I think that was pretty public knowledge.

I’m very close with Mitchy I became very close with him over the years, the last few years. And he asked me my opinion about Vegas. I played here for four years. I lived here all summer because I love the city.

What do you want me to do? You want me to lie to him because I’m still technically signed with Toronto? That’s my boy. I’m not going to steer him wrong.

While it’s admirable for Reaves to not sell Marner short of a future destination, we know that he’d had his foot out the door already, and helping him leave quicker isn’t necessarily great optics.

You got a friend in Reaves: How Mitch Marner decided on Vegas

Reaves also admitted that he was just doing what any good friend would do; which is try and do what’s best for his buddy:

I loved my time here (in Vegas). I enjoyed every second of it. I think it’s a great place to live. You have the weather, you have the city.

It’s a little more toned down than Toronto in relation to the fans and how much pressure there is there. I’m not going to lie to him about that.

And I wasn’t trying to draw him away from Toronto. I was just being honest to one of my boys. I don’t really care what the people say about that. I wasn’t doing anything shady or trying to hurt the Toronto Maple Leafs. I was just being a friend to Mitchy.

Friend or not, Reaves certainly helped set it in motion the future of the Maple Leafs and it’s again, admirable that he is defending himself.

Outstaying his welcome in Toronto, Reaves only skated in 35 games and registered two assists, and only one fight and was way too expensive to essentially sit in the press box.

But Marner was gone whether or not Reaves said anything, and it does little for the now-Sharks enforcer to lay things out.

But his comments on saying “I’m not going to steer him wrong” and “There’s less pressure” are about as subtle as an airhorn; he knew that Marner would have it easier elsewhere.

Reaves gets to enjoy California and shoot for his 1,000 game milestone, Marner gets to enjoy less of a spotlight in Vegas, and Toronto gets to finally rid themselves of something they needed to for a bit.

It’s just a shame how it all ended.