Player Discussion Morgan Rielly

[diceman934]

Last 5 years Regular Season:

Games Played, 285, 46th overall
P/GP, 0.730, 9th overall
TOI, 23:09, 28th overall
PP TOI, 2:51 23rd overall
PPP, 72, 14th overall
ESP, 132, 11th overall
GWP, 42, 7th overall
OTP, 11, 8th overall
P/60 all situations, 1.891, 11th overall

Playoffs:

Games Played, 32, 44th overall
P/GP, 0.750, 7th overall
G, 8, tied for 4th overall
A, 16, tied for 12th overall
P, 24, 10th overall
TOI, 24:19, 20th overall
PP TOI, 3:28, 7th overall
PPP, 4, tied for 17th overall
ESG, 7, tied for 2nd overall
GWG, 2, tied for 3rd overall
P/60 all situations, 1.850, 5th overall

I can appreciate people being disappointed with Rielly's defensive game. I'd ask them to remember the rotating cast of partners he's been asked to play with over the years. And, questionable goaltending that we have received during much of that period. He is not a defensive stalwart. However, imo if you look at the above numbers and then try to argue he is an overpaid 3rd, or even a low ranked 2nd defenseman, all I can do is shake my head in disbelief.

I know right. He is playing like a number 1 and getting paid like a 2/3 he has took two home town discounts and yet is still attacked. He has been underrated by Leaf fans.

 

[diceman934]

Morgan making a huge push for a roster spot on team Canada. He is playing great

 

[wingman75]

Morgan making a huge push for a roster spot on team Canada. He is playing great

Feels like the defensive guys we have brought in have freed him up a little. If he can get back to bringing some extra offence from the backend, it's going to make a massive difference.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Been having a great season. Should be captain.

 

[Roo]

He was off to a rocky start this season but has improved his play of late.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

It's almost like people were being slightly(highly) irrational about his play early on. Guy that has been a soldier for us for like a decade and a portion of this fanbase was frothing at the mouth to shit all over him on a moments notice.

 

[1specter]

It's almost like people were being slightly(highly) irrational about his play early on. Guy that has been a soldier for us for like a decade and a portion of this fanbase was frothing at the mouth to shit all over him on a moments notice.

I expect nothing less from this place.

 

[ITM]

What boggles my mind is that the people putting down Rielly are the same ones praising Tanev and OEL.

Rielly is hands down the best defenseman on this team. It's not even close. That statement will remain just as true for the foreseeable future as it is now.

Do I wish the Leafs had a better number one defenseman than Rielly?

Hell yeah I do. I wish they had three or four defensemen better than Rielly. But Treliving botched the blueline rebuild.

So Rielly remains the number one defenseman on the team.

That's not about to change any time soon either. Because Treliving also signed all those guys for the duration of the Matthews contract. So barring a significant trade to bring in an upgrade over Rielly this is as good as it gets.

He might not be the best there is but he's the best they got.

Curious as to how.

 

[Maple Leaf]

It's almost like people were being slightly(highly) irrational about his play early on. Guy that has been a soldier for us for like a decade and a portion of this fanbase was frothing at the mouth to shit all over him on a moments notice.

Yea the Leafs have been very successful with Rielly leading the charge

 

[Jojalu]

Yea the Leafs have been very successful with Rielly leading the charge

You can be a great player on a lousy team just as easily as being a horrible player on a great team.