Leafs' Reaves: 'I definitely hate' constant scratches

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves hasn't been in the team's lineup since suffering a knee injury on Dec. 14, but the veteran enforcer insists he's been healthy enough to play for a while.

"Yeah, I've been ready for a couple weeks now," Reaves told Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

Reaves remains on the Leafs' injured reserve list, per CapFriendly, and the string of scratches has been difficult for him.

"I mean, it's not fun," the 37-year-old said. "Nobody likes watching hockey when your team's going out to battle. I definitely hate it. But there's nothing really more I can do. I don't know exactly what the situation is or what's going to happen. I guess just stay patient and find out."

This summer, the Leafs signed Reaves, who was a free agent, to a three-year contract worth $ 1.35 million annually. But he's proven to be a liability: At five-on-five with Reaves on the ice, the Leafs have been outscored 13-2 and own 37.1% of the expected goals, per Natural Stat Trick. He's recorded just one point and two fights in 21 games while averaging 7:20 per contest.

"I talked to my agents. I mean, I've been through this before. I've had highs and lows in my career before. I'd say probably this is one of the tougher ones. I guess just… it is what it is," Reaves said. "You can only control what you can control. I don't make the lineup, and I don't have any control over the roster.

"So, I can't really sit here and speculate and bitch and moan over anything. Either stay patient to get in the lineup - or stay patient for whatever else is going to come."

Reaves was traded from the Rangers to the Minnesota Wild last season after being a frequent scratch in New York.