Ryan Reaves got into his fifth fight of the season during the San Jose Sharks’ 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, but did it mean more?

Reaves appeared to suffer a left-hand injury during the fight, and the postgame reactions to the winger staying on the bench raised some eyebrows. San Jose Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow broke down to tears when he spoke about his linemate, catching the entire media group off guard.

Goodrow can relate to Reaves as a no-B.S. player who can change a team’s culture. Reaves isn’t and hasn’t been known for his on-ice offensive impact, but his toughness and emotions clearly affected his team.

“He’s an unbelievable teammate. Sorry, guys.” *Goodrow broke down here* “He’s a guy that brings it all every night. Great, great friend,” Goodrow said.

I then asked if he could share why he’s a little more emotional:

“He’s the best guy. Even when you know he’s not playing, he’s there for everyone. He works his butt off every day. I think everyone in the room can learn a lot from a guy like that.”

Look, even if this isn’t the last game of Reaves’ career, the impact he’s made on the San Jose Sharks roster is clearly significant. John Klingberg and Mario Ferraro were both asked about Reaves and echoed comments similar to Goodrow’s.

“He’s one of those guys that he leads on the ice. He leads off the ice; he leads on the bench. It means a lot to have him stay out there with us despite the injury or what happened during the game that he couldn’t be there or on the ice during the fight,” Ferraro said. “I’ve taken a hit against Ottawa, and he stuck up for me. That stuff gives you goosebumps. [I’m kind of getting a little emotional about it, to be honest.

He’s just one of those guys that [is] willing to do whatever for the team. Even if that means staying on the bench, and he’s not going out there, he’s just pumping us up. He’s leading all the time. He brings that energy, and we’re really grateful to have had him around this year, and he’s going to continue to help us.”

“Heart and soul for sure. I’ve been lucky enough to be in three teams with him: Minnesota, Toronto, and now here. You just can’t not like a guy like that,” Klingberg said. “He brings it every night. Even if he’s not playing or if he’s playing like he’s there for the boys. He’s sticking up for the boys. A lot of things that you see going well this year, he’s got a hand in it behind the scenes. He’s been huge for this team.”

Reaves has changed the culture of the Sharks

At 38 and in the final year of his contract, it is no secret that Reaves is at the end of his career. The enforcer role is a dying breed in the NHL, and he just isn’t impacting the game enough to warrant a lineup spot every night. But he’s helped this team learn to win and have fun doing it. The Sharks placed Reaves next to Macklin Celebrini in the locker room for a reason, and that influence is showing.

After Friday’s practice, SHD spoke to Reaves about the pressures of playing in a tight Stanley Cup Playoff race. The San Jose Sharks have been playing tight, and Reaves knows that the guys need to have some fun. Celebrini and Ty Dellandrea were play-fighting after the team picture, but Reaves stepped in to protect the Sharks’ superstar, even if it was just a joke.

“Keeping it light is important. It’s a tough time of the year. Hockey at this time of year is very intense. It’s a playoff atmosphere,” Reaves exclusively told SHD. “You’re watching the standings, especially where we’re at right now. You’re watching standings every day, and it can be stressful. Having a little fun on the ice just lets you take a breath for a second.”

Stepping in and protecting the star is something the Sharks haven’t hesitated to do. Ferraro did that against the Flyers after Celebrini took a big hit. The defenseman told reporters he’d do the same thing 10 out of 10 times again, even if it resulted in a power-play for the GWG against.

Reaves, on Friday, explained that culture shift, even if it was just in a joking manner with Dellandrea.

“Nobody touches Mack, no matter what. And nobody touches Smitty either. But it’s got to be a hierarchy at some point,” Reaves said. “This is a very close group. Everybody loves each other here, and I think you see it with the turnaround that we’ve had this year, coming from last season. You don’t have a season like this, turning things around, without being very close and really loving going on the ice with everybody in this locker room. We have to continue to have fun. I think that results in some wins.”

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky shared a similar comment to Klingberg: Reaves has helped the team become relevant again.

“That’s who he is. What a great teammate he is, and he lays it on the line every shift. He’s done it all year for us. He’s been a big reason why [SAP Center] has got energy back,” Warsofsky said. “Yeah, I know 71 and 2, and our young guys, but Ryan Reaves has been a big part of this whole thing.”

Reaves has been a healthy scratch for nine of the 13 games following the Olympic break. Even if the injury isn’t season-ending, Reaves’ spot in the lineup seems bleak. If the Sharks stay in the race, they need all the help on the ice. But if they fall out of it, the team could opt to bring up young players for NHL experience.