BraveCanadian
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2010
- 15,686
- 5,196
Damn, I thought I was a nerd.. but that was great.
Player Discussion Morgan Rielly
- Thread starter Stephen
- Start date
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Damn, I thought I was a nerd.. but that was great.
nuck
Schrodingers Cat
- Aug 18, 2005
- 11,661
- 2,694
Hmm. Also "Seek for the sword that was broken" and "Far off yet is his doom. Not by the hand of man shall he fall!" Its all making sense now.
Maple Leaf
VIP
- Sep 18, 2009
- 10,044
- 5,258
Leafs have not won anything in the Rielly era
You realize that?
You realize that?
SprDaVE
Moderator
- Sep 20, 2008
- 55,454
- 40,403
They haven't won anything in the last 50 years, you realize that?
Reilly has the 4th worst plus/minus in the NHL amongst defenseman. The 3 players with worse plus/minus are on san jose, nashville, chicago, the 3 worst teams in the west. That makes Reilly's numbers even more glaring. He is one of the worst defenders from a defensive standpoint, in the NHL.
He's been one of my favorite players for years, but not this year. A favorite because: he's one of the few who backs his team, he's one of the few who stands up in front of the cameras during the good and bad times, his physical and offensive instincts led him to be the team's most talented offensive weapon from the back end, and he always seemed to be 'gifted' with the journeyman partner, and rarely for any length of time to develop chemistry, save TJ and Hainsy. Throughout, he represented the team in a professional way, politely and with integrity. I saw him as being the captain before Tavares. But, for all that, I never saw him as a truly talented defenseman, and never one that saw the game well. Morgan has always needed a baby sitter partner, someone to bail him out when he made a brain fart play. Couple that with the demands I suspect Berube is asking of him, and you now have a player who is fighting to change from a style of play he's had since he arrived over 10 years ago, to a style his on ice IQ is struggling with because it is foreign to him. The result is what you see; a confused defender trying to think his way through a game, a most difficult thing to do when you've been a reactive defender your entire career.
I'm entirely on board with keeping McCabe and Tanev together, they've been that good so far. But, I think it's obvious that Tre needs to find the defensive stalwart Rielly needs as a partner. Otherwise, we're stuck with an above average offensive defenseman who is struggling to play to his strengths because he's thinking so much about what he's being asked to do defensively. And when you're thinking, you're slow and behind the play. Come on Tre, I'm waiting.
I'm entirely on board with keeping McCabe and Tanev together, they've been that good so far. But, I think it's obvious that Tre needs to find the defensive stalwart Rielly needs as a partner. Otherwise, we're stuck with an above average offensive defenseman who is struggling to play to his strengths because he's thinking so much about what he's being asked to do defensively. And when you're thinking, you're slow and behind the play. Come on Tre, I'm waiting.
Evilhomer
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2019
- 6,058
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Lots of people will be eating their words come playoff time.
TheMadHatTrick
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2008
- 7,155
- 3,344
Let's be honest, guys. If you were married to Tessa Virtue, you'd have no energy left for game day either. 
I don't know how many times it has to be explained that +/- is not a defensive stat. It is a combination offensive and defensive stat, and a bad one at that. In fact, at 5v5, Rielly is putting up the best defensive results and goals against that he has had since 2020-2021, despite playing primarily with a #7 defenseman. 12 of Rielly's 14 minuses come from the PP and pulling the goalie alone.
Rielly is never going to be a shutdown defenseman, but his main issues this year have been largely offense related (Berube neutering his rush ability, Berube lowering his PP time, and the team struggling to convert around him), not defense.
Larcos_Unal
Excuses are for losers
This may be true Nostranumbnuts, but the fact is he is being criticized right now, for his play during the season.
The fact Chief only played him 16 minutes on Saturday speaks volumes.
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
His */- (-14) compared to Tanev (+16) who is playing heavier minutes speaks volumes.
1specter
Registered User
- Sep 27, 2016
- 12,740
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He hasn't been very good, but I also don't believe at the age of 30 he is somehow completely washed, he hasn't had any major injuries or destroyed his hips like Phaneuf over time. If he can step up in the playoffs then I don't particularly care about the regular season.
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
More reason to dump him and look for younger/better option this summer. Sell high and/or sooner than later IMO.
That seemed to be less about Rielly and more a result of benching Rielly's partner after the 1st period.
The Shadow
Registered User
- Feb 9, 2013
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CabanaBoy5
Registered User
Nonsense. Everybody and his sister who watches the games can tell that he is terrible defensively. Poor body position along the boards, poor stick, poor decision making, weak in front of his own net, poor position on 2 on 1's, etc. Besides, I don't think he's out very often with the goalie out, that task goes to Tanev, McCabe, Benoit, even Myers ffs. Berube is realizing he's a liability on defence and struggling offensively. In a game where we were behind for over half of it, he played only 16 minutes against Montreal. Unless he's injured, that's a massive dip from the usual 21-22 minutes a game. Berube isn't stupid.
Defensive play is not Rielly's strength, but that is not where he's been struggling this year. Most people see the minuses, incorrectly attribute it to defense, and then reinforce that idea with confirmation bias while watching.
Rielly has more ice time with the goalie pulled than every other Leaf defender combined. The puck going in our empty net is the cause of 9 of Rielly's 14 minuses.
Rielly playing less minutes last game had more to do with his partner getting benched after the 1st period than Rielly. Rielly was still taking pretty regular shifts. He played over 24 minutes the previous game, and leads all defensemen in ice time this year. You're right; Berube isn't stupid. Though he certainly isn't helping Rielly offensively.
Fogelhund
Registered User
- Sep 15, 2007
- 23,975
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The options aren't good this off season. Chychrun is the only real upgrade available. Maybe Provorov depending on how you feel about him. The odds Chych becomes a UFA? Signs with Toronto?
Outside of a trade... something like Josi for Rielly + Cowan.... (I think Berger mentioned a Josi for Cowan deal... not that I think he's connected at all)
It's great to have a conversation about improving the team, and I'm all for it... but then look at the options to actually try and do that... it's grim.
For reference... here's the list.
NJG
Registered User
- Jun 27, 2015
- 411
- 406
I've said for years we needed to get rid of Rielly and we won't win anything with him, especially with him being on the top d pairing. He horrible when it comes to playing defense, horrible when it comes to offense and running a powerplay. Doesn't hit or do anything else when nothing is going for him.
His attitude and mentality is the kind of guy you want and he's a great leader and locker room / team guy, but it's just not enough. NMC or not no player is not going to stay somewhere they are not wanted.
His attitude and mentality is the kind of guy you want and he's a great leader and locker room / team guy, but it's just not enough. NMC or not no player is not going to stay somewhere they are not wanted.
GoonieFace
Registered User
Rielly was terrible against Boston in the playoffs and regular season last year and Keefe was the coach.
