Mo Rielly - "Our Norris Trophy Candidate"

[LeafGrief]

I checked because I was interested. Rielly has been on the ice for 3 goals for and 3 goals against in OT this year. He scored the first OT winner of the season against Montreal and then assisted on Matthews' game winners against Winnipeg and Edmonton (the super fluky one off the Dman's stick). He made that terrible shot against Ottawa that Dadanov scored off the breakaway from, got beat on a 2-on-1 by the Oilers for Nurse's OT winner, and then ofc tonight.

I think Justin Holl is our other defenseman who's been on the ice for OT goals and he's 2-1. Goal, assist, and got torched by McDrai.

 

[Stephen]

I checked because I was interested. Rielly has been on the ice for 3 goals for and 3 goals against in OT this year. He scored the first OT winner of the season against Montreal and then assisted on Matthews' game winners against Winnipeg and Edmonton (the super fluky one off the Dman's stick). He made that terrible shot against Ottawa that Dadanov scored off the breakaway from, got beat on a 2-on-1 by the Oilers for Nurse's OT winner, and then ofc tonight.

I think Justin Holl is our other defenseman who's been on the ice for OT goals and he's 2-1. Goal, assist, and got torched by McDrai.

Rielly is just the guy you want out there on D to start a counter rush and jump into the play. But when the forwards are out for a pleasure skate and you need him to defend? It's not going to look pretty 5 on 5, 3 on 3 is hopeless.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

He's in his prime and his defensive IQ is getting worse.

It's not about one play but more about the pattern most people are starting to notice with him. It becomes even more glaring when Brodie is the one covering for his gaffes.

I can see it from a mile away that he's going to make a massive mistake in a playoff series costing them a big game.

 

[Stephen]

He's in his prime and his defensive IQ is getting worse.

It's not about one play but more about the pattern most people are starting to notice with him. It becomes even more glaring when Brodie is the one covering for his gaffes.

I can see it from a mile away that he's going to make a massive mistake in a playoff series costing them a big game.

He's sort of turning into that high profile mistake prone offensive defenseman like Bryan McCabe (without the shot or PP prowess). Still a net positive, but the margins get slimmer and slimmer as the errors pile up on the back end to the point where he even the production isn't enough. Relating to the contract, I'm just worried we might see a sudden, catastrophic decline like a PK Subban. He's got a ton of mileage on him from playing with bad teams over the years. You just worry what his career trajectory is.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Aren't you missing the

Missing the what

 

[LeafGrief]

Rielly is just the guy you want out there on D to start a counter rush and jump into the play. But when the forwards are out for a pleasure skate and you need him to defend? It's not going to look pretty 5 on 5, 3 on 3 is hopeless.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to playing to win or playing not to lose. After a loss where he looked bad (he is indeed hopeless at 2 on 1’s), it’s no surprise we’re examining those shortcomings. But if you’re trying to win in OT, that quick transition game is still the best thing we have to pair with our offensive guys. It’s not an accident that Rielly has 3 OT points, even if two of them are handing it off to Matthews to work magic. The rush ability is absolutely king in OT. A more conservative strategy would be to go for that balance and we’ve had success with Holl there too. I won’t argue for which strategy is better, I’m not a coach, but it’s again fair to recognize the shortcomings and the strengths in stride.

I assess blame here to just about everyone. Rielly for sucking at a 2 on 1, the forwards for letting it be a 2 on 1 when it had no business being one, and the coach for not recognizing the forwards were prone to a pleasure skate.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

He's sort of turning into that high profile mistake prone offensive defenseman like Bryan McCabe (without the shot or PP prowess). Still a net positive, but the margins get slimmer and slimmer as the errors pile up on the back end to the point where he even the production isn't enough. Relating to the contract, I'm just worried we might see a sudden, catastrophic decline like a PK Subban. He's got a ton of mileage on him from playing with bad teams over the years. You just worry what his career trajectory is.

Hopefully his trajectory is going to improve going in to these playoffs because his game is a complete wreck right now. Why does he never wheel and carry the puck on the powerplay. He almost looks lazy and drabness is taking over his game. He doesn’t wheel with the puck at any time anymore really. Why? I don’t get it.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Missing the what

Sarcasm.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

If we don’t go far in the playoffs this year I would seriously look to move him for another top D. He’s been off, and I think this is just who he is right now. A seriously flawed top pairing guy.

Cannot play a 2 on 1, cannot do anything on the PP, makes some really stupid pinches/offensive zone reads. Lacks a shot from the point. There are definitely much better options out there.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

MGMT is not trading Rielly unless they have a replacement lined up. Unless you want Dermott playing 20+ min against top competition. Or stunting Sandin's development like Sabres did Dahlin.

 

[The Apologist]

MGMT is not trading Rielly unless they have a replacement lined up. Unless you want Dermott playing 20+ min against top competition. Or stunting Sandin's development like Sabres did Dahlin.

Thats good because they would be stupid to just because a couple of fans need a new scapegoat.

 

[NK94]

MGMT is not trading Rielly unless they have a replacement lined up. Unless you want Dermott playing 20+ min against top competition. Or stunting Sandin's development like Sabres did Dahlin.

Luckily the Leafs are a country mile ahead of the Sabres in terms of competency and development.

 

[Stephen]

MGMT is not trading Rielly unless they have a replacement lined up. Unless you want Dermott playing 20+ min against top competition. Or stunting Sandin's development like Sabres did Dahlin.

Dougie Hamilton is an unrestricted free agent this summer and Seth Jones next summer. So there are big names and upgrades on the horizon.

 

[Leaf4Life]

He's in his prime and his defensive IQ is getting worse.

It's not about one play but more about the pattern most people are starting to notice with him. It becomes even more glaring when Brodie is the one covering for his gaffes.

I can see it from a mile away that he's going to make a massive mistake in a playoff series costing them a big game.

Yeah that's pretty much a guarantee. He just has too many brain farts. He needs to go back to focusing on the basics.

 

[Not My Tempo]

Dougie Hamilton is an unrestricted free agent this summer and Seth Jones next summer. So there are big names and upgrades on the horizon.

Don’t want Jones, but would love Hamilton.

 

[MR4]

Dougie Hamilton is an unrestricted free agent this summer and Seth Jones next summer. So there are big names and upgrades on the horizon.

It’s more likely that we just don’t resign Rielly and look towards the Jones offseason where they both become UFA as our opportunity to pivot from Rielly.

Purely based on optics, I don’t think Dubas would be willing to sell Rielly (the longest serving Leaf who is a key part of our locker room) during our contending years

 

[Not My Tempo]

Actually though, Reilly’s an athletic freak and that’s helped him out so much over his career. He’s made countless mistakes, but has been able to bail himself out of situations with his skating and his strength. I think it’s his decision making has always been the weakest part of his game.

 

[ponder]

Rielly is just the guy you want out there on D to start a counter rush and jump into the play. But when the forwards are out for a pleasure skate and you need him to defend? It's not going to look pretty 5 on 5, 3 on 3 is hopeless.

For this particular OT loss, I thought it was mainly on Matthews and Marner. But I do think Rielly isn’t a good fit with them in OT - they have high skill but are prone to gambling and brain farts. They don’t really need Mo’s skill, but do need someone who can pull off heroics defending 2-on-1s, which isn’t Rielly, but is Brodie.

Try Brodie with Matthews/Marner, Rielly with Tavares/Nylander.

 

[PhiladelphiaKessel]

Weird how Rielly has the best defensive partner he's ever had in his career, and still looks this bad. He is regressing hard

 

[JT AM da real deal]

MGMT is not trading Rielly unless they have a replacement lined up. Unless you want Dermott playing 20+ min against top competition. Or stunting Sandin's development like Sabres did Dahlin.

Rielly is gonna be a CAP casualty ... he will ask for big money and it is not there for him here ... at 5M it is very very top end for a guy like that who can't play a shred of D anymore .. Sandin needs to get his spot .. maybe Rielly to Seattle this summer for a 1st rounder and 2nd rounder 2022 if they pick up Kerfoot to help us out on CAP

 

[demonslayer]

We will never win with this guy his shot is as soft as baby shit.

 

[zeke]

Of All #1 Dmen:

Even Strength Goal Differential aka Goals For Percentage :

1. COL C.Makar 67.5%
2. TOR M.Rielly 61.9%
3. NYR A.Fox 60.1%
4. CAR J.Slavin 57.9%
5. NYI A.Pelech 57.8%
6. FLA A.Ekblad 57.7%
7. BOS C.McAvoy 57.6%
8. PIT K.Letang 57.1%
9. STL J.Faulk 56.5%
10. VGK A.Pietrangelo 55.6%
11. TBL V.Hedman 54.9%
12. EDM D.Nurse 54.8%
13. WSH J.Carlson 54.3%
14. WPG N.Pionk 53.2%
15. MTL S.Weber 52.9%
16. LAK D.Doughty 52.1%
17. ARZ J.Chychrun 51.9%
18. VAN N.Schmidt 50.3%
19. CHI C.Murphy 49.8%
20. DAL M.Heiskanen 49.1%
21. MIN J.Spurgeon 48.2%
22. PHI I.Provorov 48.0%
23. ANA C.Fowler 46.7%
24. CGY M.Giordano 46.2%
25. SJS B.Burns 45.7%
26. CBJ S.Jones 45.5%
27. NSH R.Josi 44.8%
28. NJD D.Severson 43.2%
29. OTT T.Chabot 38.9%
30. DET F.Hronek 34.6%
31. BUF R.Dahlin 31.4


Expected Goals For %

1. NYI A.Pelech 62.7%
2. COL C.Makar 61.3%
3. BOS C.McAvoy 56.7%
4. TOR M.Rielly 56.3%
5. NYR A.Fox 56.2%
6. FLA A.Ekblad 55.2%
7. MTL S.Weber 54.9%
8. CAR J.Slavin 54.7%
9. NSH R.Josi 53.9%
10. MIN N.Spurgeon 53.3%
11. NJD D.Severson 53.1%
12. EDM D.Nurse 50.8%
13. TBL V.Hedman 50.6%
14. DAL M.Heiskanen 50.4%
15. SJS B.Burns 50.4%
16. ARZ J.Chychrun 49.9%
17. WSH J.Carlson 49.6%
18. VGK A.Pietrangelo 49.2%
19. CHI C.Murphy 49.2%
20. VAN N.Schmidt 48.6%
21. WPG N.Pionk 48.6%
22. DET F.Hronek 48.2%
23. ANA C.Fowler 47.6%
24. PHI I.Provorov 47.6%
25. LAK D.Doughty 47.5%
26. STL J.Faulk 47.3%
27. PIT K.Letang 46.8%
28. OTT T.Chabot 45.9%
29. CGY M.Giordano 45.2%
30. BUF R.Dahlin 44.4%
31. CBJ S.Jones 44.1%

 

[ICBM]

Weird how Rielly has the best defensive partner he's ever had in his career, and still looks this bad. He is regressing hard

Not sure if he is regressing. Leaf defense got better and his weaknesses are more evident now.
No scapegoats like Zaytsev or Marincin. He is the weakest link now.

 

[Stuart Little]

Im a huge leafs fan - so I'll be totally honest - he is not that good

yes good - but not elite

he is getting slower and his decision making is brutal at times
I think if they can somehow upgrade this spot - it would be the best thing for them

something along the lines of

Rielly + Nylander for an extended S. Jones

 

[Mats13]

I’ve been very critical of his decision making this year

But this thread is just out of hand

People are acting like he’s not even an NHL player. He’s not Hedman. But he’s definitely good at what he does. It sucks that he has some holes in his game but there is no perfect hockey player (well outside of Matthews).