Sharks' Reaves appears to dislocate finger in fight with Flyers' Wilson

Veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves left the game after the on-ice altercation.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 11:07pm

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San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves and Philadelphia Flyers forward Garrett Wilson dropped the gloves less than two minutes into their game on Saturday, March 21. After the fight, Reaves appeared to have dislocated his finger and left the game to get it examined.

Why it matters

Reaves is known as one of the NHL's toughest players, with a history of fighting and physical play. This injury highlights the risks that come with that style of play and the toll it can take on a player's body over time.

The details

Reaves and Wilson exchanged punches in the fight, and after they were separated, Reaves showed his injured finger to the officials. A trainer tried to put the dislocated finger back in place, and Reaves went to the penalty box before heading to the dressing room. He returned for one more shift but did not play in the second or third periods.

  • The fight occurred less than two minutes into the game on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Ryan Reaves

A veteran forward for the San Jose Sharks known for his physical, fighting style of play.

Garrett Wilson

A forward for the Philadelphia Flyers who was called up from the AHL and was making his second NHL appearance.

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What’s next

Reaves will need to be evaluated by the Sharks' medical staff to determine the extent of the finger injury and how long he may be sidelined.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the physical toll that fighting and aggressive play can have on NHL players, even veteran tough guys like Ryan Reaves. It raises questions about the role of fighting in the modern game and the long-term health impacts on players.