Ryan Reaves says he has a plan for dealing with P.K. Subban

Many were surprised when New York Rangers tough guy Ryan Reaves didn't send a message to P.K. Subban through his fists the last time the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils met. Not only did Subban injure Reaves in the preseason with a blatant slewfoot, he was involved in an incident with Reaves' teammate Sammy Blais that led to Blais being knocked out for the rest of the season. Speaking with Larry Brooks of the New York Post, Reaves said trying to fight Subban would be pointless.

"It's a close game, Subban's not going to fight me," Reaves said, referring to the last time the two teams met. "What's going to happen, I'm going to go cross-check him, take a penalty, and they're on the power play?"

Reaves said he'd rather take a different approach with Subban.

"I think I'd rather try and catch him with his head down with a hit or something like that. I know who's going to fight me and who I'm going to have a chance to go after and he definitely isn't one of them," said Reaves.


Reaves' first fight as a member of the Rangers came Tuesday night during a game with the Montreal Canadiens. He was challenged by Habs' rookie Michael Pezzetta, who was in over his head, as evidenced by the results.

As for Subban, while the incident with Blais wasn't intentional, or even a slewfoot, the defenceman has lost all benefit of the doubt when it comes to these types of plays. He's been fined by the NHL's Department of Player Safety this season after three or four dangerous trips. How he's avoided a suspension is a bit of a mystery.

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RANGERS FORWARD SAMMY BLAIS DONE FOR THE SEASON AFTER INCIDENT WITH P.K. SUBBAN