Ryan Reaves and Tom Wilson have some bad blood.
In an interview with Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek on Tuesday, Reaves was asked about his rivalry with the Capitals enforcer.
In summary, he hates Tom. A lot a lot.
Video
“I just don’t like him. Hands down, I just don’t like the guy."@reavo7five spoke to @JeffMarek and @jasonyork about his rivalry with Tom Wilson. 👇 #IceSurfing pic.twitter.com/eBV0aLNgxs
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 6, 2019
In the interview, Marek asked if there was any truth to the rumor that over the offseason Reaves had said to a team looking to sign him that “I am the solution to your Tom Wilson problem.”
Reaves played coy, saying he didn’t remember if he said that, likely meaning he definitely said that.
But he added, “That seems to be the right answer.”
Reaves was asked if he steps up his game when it comes to playing the Capitals, specifically Wilson.
“Just ever since he came into the league, we just don’t like each other,” Reaves said bluntly. “He’s one of those players that plays a similar style to me, obviously I think he’s got a little better hands, puts up a little more points. Plays with Ovi, which is a nice touch.”
Tom Wilson has 33 points in 47 games played this season. Reaves has 17 points in 66 games played.
“But I just don’t like him. Hands down, I just don’t like the guy,” Reaves concluded.
The two players have targeted and bickered each other during games for years, but things came to a head in December. Reaves landed a late, blindside hit on Wilson giving the Capitals’ forward a concussion.
Reaves appeared to laugh at Wilson as he laid injured on the ice, and the next day autographed photos of the play for a Las Vegas memorabilia company with the inscription “King of the Jungle.”
Headline photo: Sportsnet
