One of the toughest players in the NHL will now suit up for the Wild.
The team traded for Ryan Reaves on Wednesday, bringing in the veteran forward from the New York Rangers in a deal that sent a fifth-round draft pick in 2025 the other way.
"The way he plays his role is elite," Wild General Manager Bill Guerin said. "And more importantly than that, or just as importantly as that, he brings a lot of energy. He's just always full of energy."
Guerin and Rangers GM Chris Drury were in talks for a couple of weeks, which is around how long Reaves had been scratched.
He has zero points in 12 games this season, but the 35-year-old's lively style is predicated on bringing an edginess to the ice. Reaves, who entered the league in 2010-11, ranks third among active players in hits (2,645) and sixth in penalty minutes (992).
"He can still be effective," Guerin said of the 6-2, 225-pound Reaves, who fought Wild alternate captain Marcus Foligno in the season-opening 7-3 loss to the Rangers at Xcel Energy Center. "I think the main thing is that he moves his feet and gets to hits and plays physical. That's the biggest thing."
As for the sparkplug factor, that's a boost Guerin felt the Wild could use along with adding more size to the lineup. Reaves, who will wear No. 75, is expected to make his Wild debut on Friday vs. Toronto. He's on a one-year contract worth $1.75 million.
"He's a big personality," Guerin said. "Right now, that's something our team really needs."
In the past, Reaves was a familiar opponent to the Wild.
A Winnipeg native, Reaves broke into the league with St. Louis after the Blues drafted him in the fifth round in 2005. Following a brief stint with Pittsburgh that overlapped with Guerin's tenure as the Penguins' assistant GM, Reaves joined Vegas during the Golden Knights' inaugural season and was teammates with current Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury when the Golden Knights eliminated the Wild in seven games two playoffs ago.
Last season, Reaves provided grit to an up-and-coming Rangers squad that advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference finals.
During 13 NHL seasons, Reaves has 54 goals and 60 assists for 114 points in 767 games.
"Ryan's got a certain swagger, and you need that to be successful," Guerin said. "You need that on your team. I think the way he brings it will help us."
Greenway returns
After missing six straight games, 13 of the past 14 and 16 of 18 overall, Jordan Greenway played against the Jets.
Greenway has been hindered by shoulder issues throughout the season. He didn't make his debut until four games in on Oct. 20 after offseason surgery and then suffered a different injury to that same shoulder that was operated on during his first appearance.
The winger was subsequently sidelined for seven games, getting back in the lineup Nov. 8, but in-game his shoulder felt worse.
"It would have been nearly impossible for me to play," Greenway said. "A little setback."
Asked if he returned too soon the last time, Greenway said no.
"I probably won't come out and hit as many people as I can in the first [period]," he said. "But mentally I'm not worried. I've had enough practices. I've had enough contact. I've had enough everything that I'll be good."
Lineup update
Defenseman Jonas Brodin, who is one game shy of 700 in his career, was scratched Wednesday because of a non-COVID illness.
Alex Goligoski took Brodin's spot alongside Matt Dumba. Rookie Marco Rossi was scratched for a second consecutive game, the third time he's been idle this season.
