In a move announced Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded veteran forward Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenceman Henry Thrun. The transaction sees an established, physical presence heading to a rebuilding club, while a younger blueliner joins a team looking to solidify its defensive depth.
Ryan Reaves Heads to San Jose
Ryan Reaves, the 38-year-old known league-wide for his toughness and personality, concludes his tenure with the Maple Leafs after two seasons. Acquired by Toronto to add a dimension of grit often perceived as missing, his time in blue and white was characterized by limited statistical output but a significant presence in the locker room and during specific on-ice moments. In the 2024-25 season, Reaves played just 35 games, recording two assists. Over his 84 games with the Leafs, offensive contributions were not his primary mandate, which was perhaps fortunate given the numbers.
Despite the modest stats, Sharks General Manager Mike Grier expressed clear intentions behind acquiring the veteran. “He will bring energy, personality, physical play and toughness to our group,” Grier stated, adding, “He has been a part of many winning teams, and I witnessed firsthand the positive impact he can bring to a group when I was with the Rangers.” For a Sharks organization in the midst of a deep rebuild, Reaves` value is evidently being measured more in leadership and culture-setting than power-play production. He joins a young team where his veteran voice and willingness to engage physically could serve as a template for developing players, provided his ice time allows for sufficient interaction beyond the bench.
Henry Thrun Joins the Maple Leafs
Coming back to Toronto is Henry Thrun, a 24-year-old left-shot defenceman. Thrun appeared in 60 games for the Sharks last season, demonstrating capability on the blueline with two goals and 12 assists for a total of 14 points. He averaged 17:31 of ice time, indicating a regular role within San Jose`s defensive structure.
Originally a fourth-round draft pick by the Anaheim Ducks in 2019, Thrun`s path to San Jose came via a 2023 trade that sent a third-round pick back to the Ducks. In his young NHL career, spanning 119 games, he has registered five goals and 20 assists for 25 career points. For the Maple Leafs, acquiring Thrun adds a younger, mobile defenceman to their organizational depth. At 24, he still has potential for development and offers a different profile compared to the veteran Reaves. His acquisition suggests Toronto`s focus on adding pieces to their defense corps, balancing their roster with younger assets who can potentially grow with the team.
Analyzing the Exchange
This trade appears to be a classic example of two teams exchanging assets based on differing needs and timelines. San Jose, focused on the future, brings in a respected veteran to influence their young roster and provide specific physical elements the GM values, even if his statistical output has waned with age. Toronto, aiming for present and near-future contention, acquires a defenceman who is younger, has recent NHL experience, and fits a positional need. It`s a hockey trade where the currency exchanged isn`t just players, but also age profiles and desired team attributes – leadership and grit for San Jose, defensive depth and youth for Toronto. Whether Thrun can develop into a consistent top-four option or if Reaves` influence significantly impacts the Sharks` culture remains to be seen, but the strategic objectives behind the swap seem relatively clear from both front offices.
The trade was officially announced on July 10, 2025, at approximately 10:29 pm ET.
