Minnesota Wild acquire Ryan Reaves

The Minnesota Wild have acquired Ryan Reaves from the New York Rangers, sending a 2025 fifth-round pick in return.

Reaves, 35, had been left out of the Rangers lineup for a good chunk of this season, suiting up only 12 times so far. According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, his agent requested a trade while the team was in Los Angeles.

The move is a positive one for both sides. Reaves will get a better chance at playing time with the Wild, while the Rangers move out his entire $1.75M cap hit. That gives them some much-needed cap flexibility, especially for a midseason acquisition later on.

There’s not much to explain about Reaves’ game. He is only a fourth-line option at this point in his career and likely shouldn’t be in the lineup every game. He does bring an immense physical presence and has plenty of experience in the Central Division from his time in St. Louis.

For Minnesota, one of the biggest disappointments in the early going, a change was needed. While an acquisition of Reaves isn’t exactly what many were expecting, he certainly will give their bottom six a different look.