Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves opens up on the Cedric Pare play that injured Patrik Laine

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens have one of the most heated rivalries in the history of the NHL, and this off-season, things only got more bitter. The rivalry reignited during their recent pre-season battle, with Cedric Pare taking out Patrik Laine with a knee-on-knee collision, which may ultimately end the 2024/25 season of the Canadiens star before it even begins.

Many fans out there have called this an intentional play from career AHLer Pare, who has no hope of making the NHL roster with Toronto this season, but it appears as though not everyone believes that. One of those people is current Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves, who shared his thoughts on the situation involving Pare in a recent interview.

This one likely won't go down too well with Canadiens fans, who have been enraged since the Saturday night clash, and given that Laine is likely to miss the entire season due to an ACL injury, it's easy to see why they are all frustrated. As for Pare, he showed little remorse after the play during a post-game interview, and while Reaves and many others have stuck up for the young forward, it's a play and a moment that will continue to divide opinion.

As for Reaves, he will likely play a huge role when the Canadiens and Maple Leafs open their season against each other next week, because after Arber Xhekaj's retaliation against Pare, there should be heightened emotions from both sides in what will be a must-watch battle.