Sharks Make Bold Move, Trade Henry Thrun for Veteran Enforcer Ryan Reaves
The San Jose Sharks just made headlines with a surprising one-for-one swap: defenseman Henry Thrun has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for veteran forward and enforcer Ryan Reaves. This trade might seem puzzling on the surface, but let’s unpack it.
So, here’s the deal. Henry Thrun, a 23-year-old defenseman, had been with the Sharks since 2023 after being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks. During his stint in San Jose, he put up modest numbers—five goals and 20 assists over 119 games. While Thrun was a reliable, if not flashy, presence on the blue line, his underlying numbers weren’t exactly promising. His CorsiFor% sat around a rough 42.6% at even strength, and his on-ice expected goals metrics ranked among the lowest for the Sharks last season. For a rebuilding team trying to raise its competitive ceiling, that wasn’t ideal.
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Now, enter Ryan Reaves. At 38 years old, Reaves is far from a top-six forward. He’s a role player, no question. But he brings something the Sharks clearly value: toughness, leadership, and experience. Reaves has played over 900 NHL games and has been part of playoff-bound teams in 14 of his last 15 seasons. That says a lot about what he brings to the room, even if it doesn’t always show on the scoresheet. Last season in Toronto, he played just 35 games and posted two assists, but his physical presence remained undeniable. He’s known for protecting teammates, setting a tone, and being the kind of guy you want on your side when things get chippy.
Mike Grier, the Sharks’ GM, knows exactly what he’s getting. In fact, he saw Reaves’ impact firsthand during their time together with the New York Rangers. Grier described him as someone who brings energy, physicality, and a strong locker room presence—all things that can make a big difference for a young, developing team.
And let’s be honest: the Sharks’ blue line just got pretty crowded. They’ve recently added Dmitry Orlov and Nick Leddy, and with other young prospects coming up, Thrun may have found himself on the outside looking in. For Toronto, this is a low-risk move. Thrun still has upside and could flourish in a more structured defensive system with better teammates. He’s not a game-changer yet, but he’s certainly more than what Reaves was offering the Leafs at this stage.
For San Jose, the Reaves acquisition isn’t about stats—it’s about culture. It’s about protecting the up-and-coming talent and making sure the team has a clear identity. Whether or not this gamble pays off in the standings, it does send a message: the Sharks want to be harder to play against.
So yeah, it’s a bit unconventional, but it just might work out for both sides. Time will tell.
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