Is Lily about to become better than Reilly?

[Morbo]

I doubt it.

 

[ZEBROA]

Lets wait this season at least.

 

[Gary Nylund]

And we’d save that money and might be a better six d group for it

Didn’t get lost at all not having rielly doesn’t change trying to not have holl either and it’s not a strange assumption at all but I’m going to stop replying to you cause I can see your a computer tough guy and I don’t want any problems sir

To be helpful, I put your original post above. That was your post in response me pointing out (to someone else) that 7.5 million isn't Rielly's "tier" as he probably would have gotten 9 million as a UFA.

Your response indicates that we'd be better off without Rielly which I strongly disagree with. Talent like that isn't easy to find, his contract is not an overpayment, he played great in the playoffs and he's a big reason our defence is better than it's been in the last couple of decades. You then obfuscated by bringing Holl into the conversation which is a different subject entirely and now you're calling me a "computer tough guy"?

Not sure what I said that you think is so "tough" but this entire exchange has been pretty mild so your comment is strange. If people disagreeing with you and trying to keep you on topic upsets you this much, you're going to have a hard time in any forum, on the internet or otherwise. Good luck.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Liljegren still turns the puck over a lot. I really don't think he's this elite defender. He's physical and can use his body, but he makes just as many mistakes as the rest of the group.

People need to pump the brakes on this guy for sure.

First there was universal jubilation when he was still on the board on draft night. But his development did take a big hit of course with im missing almost a full year and a couple of years later, the narrative shifted to "there's a reason he was still available when we drafted him" and people were including him in packages to get that top pair D we really want. Now he's playing pretty well (though unevenly) in a small sample size and all of a sudden he's a future #1 and a lifelong Maple Leaf and so on. Sound like he now needs to be an all-star by next season and consensus #1 2-3 years from now or people will turn on him again.

Playing D in the NHL is hard and for most players, it takes years to figure it out. About the only thing we can be sure of at this point is that there will be some more ups and downs for Liljegren along the way to being whatever he is as a player 5 years from now. He's looking good this season and I do have high hopes for him, hoping for the best for him and everyone else on our team. GLG!!

 

[francis246]

People need to pump the brakes on this guy for sure.

First there was universal jubilation when he was still on the board on draft night. But his development did take a big hit of course with im missing almost a full year and a couple of years later, the narrative shifted to "there's a reason he was still available when we drafted him" and people were including him in packages to get that top pair D we really want. Now he's playing pretty well (though unevenly) in a small sample size and all of a sudden he's a future #1 and a lifelong Maple Leaf and so on. Sound like he now needs to be an all-star by next season and consensus #1 2-3 years from now or people will turn on him again.

Playing D in the NHL is hard and for most players, it takes years to figure it out. About the only thing we can be sure of at this point is that there will be some more ups and downs for Liljegren along the way to being whatever he is as a player 5 years from now. He's looking good this season and I do have high hopes for him, hoping for the best for him and everyone else on our team. GLG!!

Agreed! He's going to be a great player for us one day, but this fanbase goes to the extreme every time there is a small sample size of success. He scored two goals now all of a sudden he's the best defenseman on the team? He's the saviour of the franchise on the backend? Come on, lets see him put together two solid years on his current contract and then evaluate. We need to stop jumping the gun, just enjoy him for what he is. A young up and coming dman who is proving his worth everyday in the lineup. He is not remotely close to the best dman on the team, but he's got some attributes that may get him there in time and with experience.

 

[FerrisRox]

Sometimes they bring them in slowly. Mo hit the NHL at 18 because of blazing speed and high draft status. I prefer the slow approach with dmen.

Rielly was 19 and turned 20 during his rookie season in the NHL.

 

[Leafs87]

I think Lil will be great but he has a long way to reach Rielly. Rielly is the backbone, takes the hard matchups, plays in all situations and produces offence. He’s been doing this for years. Lil has been on the top pairing a few games here and there last year and this year. He has shined, but has a long way to Rielly

 

[darrylsittler27]

Rielly was 19 and turned 20 during his rookie season in the NHL.

Only played 14 AHL games and 19 is young for a dman.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I think Lil will be great but he has a long way to reach Rielly. Rielly is the backbone, takes the hard matchups, plays in all situations and produces offence. He’s been doing this for years. Lil has been on the top pairing a few games here and there last year and this year. He has shined, but has a long way to Rielly

Rielly hasn't been taking the hard matchups since his age 23 season. Not uncommon for offensive guys though even Hedman usually took the secondary matchups.

 

[Recipe Unlimited]

This is such a ridiculous thread, he's played 3 games this year, and has averaged 17 minutes per game. Let's see how he plays against better competition before proclaiming him to be better than Rielly.

 

[exporta]

If this is happens all leaf fans should rejoice.

 

[Fogelhund]

If this is happens all leaf fans should rejoice.

Exactly... If Lilly becomes better than Mo, that means we have one heck of a formidable D.

 

[arso40]

I think Lil will be great but he has a long way to reach Rielly. Rielly is the backbone, takes the hard matchups, plays in all situations and produces offence. He’s been doing this for years. Lil has been on the top pairing a few games here and there last year and this year. He has shined, but has a long way to Rielly

He only started doing that this season he’s never taken the hard matchups since hainsey was here and even then it was shared and tbh he never got the dzone starts that gardiner and zaitsev got so yes he’s been our best defencemen but he’s never played the hard matchups never played the penalty kill that much though he’s always ate the most minutes on the bac end

 

[Community]

Why does it seem that such a large group on here never seem to learn and always get really stuck in recency bias?


I've been advocating for Liljegren since he was drafted and always thought he'd become better than Sandin (his main competition and often highly debated). However, it seems very few people are considering:
- Transition/longevity: Sandin looked fantastic in his first ~20 games before hitting a wall because the NHL schedule is a grind.
- Playoffs: Rielly is one of our few players that steps up in the playoffs. He has always been one of our best players in the playoffs and easily the most consistent year to year.
- History: Rielly has a history of elite offense. yes, he has some shortcomings defensively, but part of that is because he's left as the only man back on 2 v 1st a ridiculous amount of times considering his partners are supposed to be the better defender.


They'll both be important pieces for us and hopefully a top notch 1st pairing.

 

[ItalianLeaf]

The day lily was born he was better than Rielly. Rielly is absolutely garbage as a defenseman. He should consider moving to forward since he has zero defensive IQ

 

[IPS]

- History: Rielly has a history of elite offense. yes, he has some shortcomings defensively, but part of that is because he's left as the only man back on 2 v 1st a ridiculous amount of times considering his partners are supposed to be the better defender.

This just isn't true at all.

 

[arso40]

Why does it seem that such a large group on here never seem to learn and always get really stuck in recency bias?


I've been advocating for Liljegren since he was drafted and always thought he'd become better than Sandin (his main competition and often highly debated). However, it seems very few people are considering:
- Transition/longevity: Sandin looked fantastic in his first ~20 games before hitting a wall because the NHL schedule is a grind.
- Playoffs: Rielly is one of our few players that steps up in the playoffs. He has always been one of our best players in the playoffs and easily the most consistent year to year.
- History: Rielly has a history of elite offense. yes, he has some shortcomings defensively, but part of that is because he's left as the only man back on 2 v 1st a ridiculous amount of times considering his partners are supposed to be the better defender.


They'll both be important pieces for us and hopefully a top notch 1st pairing.

I hope so I feel like rielly would be better with a defensive defencemen like a methot was for karlsson but it is possible though I feel like Sandin would be ideal for him if he take the necessary steps cause they think the game more similar but it’s very much possible let’s hope

 

[nsleaf]

Hope so, they are on the same team, so

 

[Leaf Rocket]

I mean eventually we hope he does...younger defenseman with potential is great but has he done so yet no.

It's funny but I think during Rielly draft year only me and diceman i think were able to see rielly so we were crazy about him, also why i was crazy about point at the time. People didnt think so and he turned out alright so...heres hoping because he does have some flashes of that potential.

 

[Community]

This just isn't true at all.

What isn't true?

That he's had elite offensive seasons or that a guy who is supposed to be the more offensive dman in the pair ends up defending 2 on 1st more than whatever partner he has.

Yes, he doesn't do a great job defending 2 on 1s, but why the heck is he the one that's been defending 2 on 1s so much recently. The way people talk about him, you'd think that would always be his partner.

I hope so I feel like rielly would be better with a defensive defencemen like a methot was for karlsson but it is possible though I feel like Sandin would be ideal for him if he take the necessary steps cause they think the game more similar but it’s very much possible let’s hope

Are you saying that Liljegren isn't good defensively or am i misreading? He was drafted as an offensive dman, but his defense has shone a lot more since then. I think he's very well rounded which will let him cover for Rielly while still being good enough offensicely to benefit from playing with Mo.

I don't think Sandin and Mo would be a good fit. Too poor defensively as a pairing and Sandins skating needs to improve to play with Rielly IMO.

 

[arso40]

What isn't true?

That he's had elite offensive seasons or that a guy who is supposed to be the more offensive dman in the pair ends up defending 2 on 1st more than whatever partner he has.

Yes, he doesn't do a great job defending 2 on 1s, but why the heck is he the one that's been defending 2 on 1s so much recently. The way people talk about him, you'd think that would always be his partner.


Agree for the first, disagree for the second. Liljegren and Rielly compliment each other while still both having good hockey IQ. Sandin is too slow and still questionable defensively to play with Rielly. Sandin - Liljegren could work though if Sandin can get back on track.

Yeah sorry if I wasn’t clear I meant the Swedes lily and sandman not rielly so your right in that assessment let’s hope sandman gets to grow on his strong side cause that’s where he’s most effective

 

[Community]

I mean eventually we hope he does...younger defenseman with potential is great but has he done so yet no.

It's funny but I think during Rielly draft year only me and diceman i think were able to see rielly so we were crazy about him, also why i was crazy about point at the time. People didnt think so and he turned out alright so...heres hoping because he does have some flashes of that potential.

I remember how bad that team was... Rielly nearly led them in scoring (2nd in ppg, 3rd in pts) and all you ever heard about was him and an undersized forward named Point who was good, but not good enough to overcome his size in the NHL.

 

[Community]

Yeah sorry if I wasn’t clear I meant the Swedes lily and sandman not rielly so your right in that assessment let’s hope sandman gets to grow on his strong side cause that’s where he’s most effective

I had edited my post to focus on something else, but I do agree. However, i think Sandins skating will hold him back from being a top pairing defenseman while Liljegren could be (hopefully Im wrong and they both end up being top pair level). However, thats another reason I prefer Lilly with Rielly.

There are very few offensive dmen that aren't good-fantastic skaters in todays game. Maybe he can buck the trend or improve his skating, because his offensive IQ is obviously something to be excited about.

 

[meefer]

I like both players. I'm hoping that during the next 20/30 games Keefe gives them plenty of time together. Stylistically and talent wise I think they can develop into a solid pairing.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

When has Liljegren demonstrated that type of offensive fire power? He’s gonna be a hell of a defenseman, but he won’t hold a candle to Riellys offensive abilities overall.

i respectfully disagree. He was very highly touted before having mono. As you’ve pointed out before I know nothing about the medical field but i hear its a pretty serious illness