Player Discussion Morgan Rielly

[Dekes For Days]

The coaches job is to win not just coddle his players and worry about a 12 year veterans inability to play within their system. Your second sentence is total speculation meant to support your narrative. It’s not Berube’s job to decide which players bring value to the team or whether they should be traded. He can only play the players on the team’s roster and has little leeway when it comes to Rielly given their lack of depth on the back end. You have no idea what is said behind doors in the coaches office about Rielly’s struggles.

Yes, the coach's job is to win. That's why he gives Rielly the most minutes on the team. You have no idea what is said behind closed doors either. All we can go by is his public comments and his actions. His public comments show concern but don't support the idea that he's playing like trash, unimportant, or a lost cause, and his actions are to give him the most minutes. If your argument is that every other defenseman on our team is even more trash, then I don't know why you're not out there blasting every other defenseman too.

 

[TMLAM34]

Rielly had a really good game last night, hope he can continue that play moving forward.

 

[Ports]

Yes, the coach's job is to win. That's why he gives Rielly the most minutes on the team. You have no idea what is said behind closed doors either. All we can go by is his public comments and his actions. His public comments show concern but don't support the idea that he's playing like trash, unimportant, or a lost cause, and his actions are to give him the most minutes. If your argument is that every other defenseman on our team is even more trash, then I don't know why you're not out there blasting every other defenseman too.

No coach is going to say his player is trash. What a ridiculous argument and last night McCabe played eight minutes more than Rielly did and Tanev played 4 minutes more. You live in a fantasy world.

 

[Dekes For Days]

No coach is going to say his player is trash. What a ridiculous argument and last night McCabe played eight minutes more than Rielly did and Tanev played 4 minutes more.

No, but there's much harsher things that coaches say when they're playing like trash, and they don't give trash players the most minutes on the team. It's understandable that our shutdown defensemen had some wonky minutes last night with the OEL injury and the big early lead, but Rielly still played over 22 minutes and has averaged the most minutes this year. That doesn't align with your statements.

 

[Stephen]

I hope they have. I was never a worshipper of the guy and was one of his hardest critiques all the way back if anyone cares to look, but, never did I imagine this kind of decline at this age.

To me it looks like he’ll need to drop some playing weight, get that jump in his step back and get the head screwed on right. He’s always going to be a riverboat gambler playing on instinct and so so defensively but right now it’s no strengths and only weaknesses in his game.

 

[Mr_Fun]

I thought Reilly played well last night. He made some big time plays against some bigtime offense. Maybe Berube found that happy medium? If he can sustain that level of play, he should be alright.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

The rumours of Rielly's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

His downturn in play this year is being blown way out of proportion. He's clearly not having a great season. But he's definitely not a bottom pairing defenseman either.

He's still making a valuable contribution to this team.

Currently the longest serving Leafs player and a fan favourite. Rielly was who much of the greatest fan base in the world wanted as Captain instead of Tavares. His leadership both on and off the ice is clear to anyone who follows this team.

He unselfishly shared his A with Marner who probably doesn't even deserve one.

Rielly is also the only one of the core willing to stand up for his teammates. He was the only one willing to take a discount. And he was the only one willing to take a M-NTC the last two years instead of a full NMC.

He's earned the right to have a down year without giving up on him for the dead just yet.

 

[mapleleaf979]

The rumours of Rielly's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

His downturn in play this year is being blown way out of proportion. He's clearly not having a great season. But he's definitely not a bottom pairing defenseman either.

He's still making a valuable contribution to this team.

Currently the longest serving Leafs player and a fan favourite. Rielly was who much of the greatest fan base in the world wanted as Captain instead of Tavares. His leadership both on and off the ice is clear to anyone who follows this team.

He unselfishly shared his A with Marner who probably doesn't even deserve one.

Rielly is also the only one of the core willing to stand up for his teammates. He was the only one willing to take a discount. And he was the only one willing to take a M-NTC the last two years instead of a full NMC.

He's earned the right to have a down year without giving up on him for the dead just yet.

Rielly didnt take a discount, he is overpaid at 7.5 million. He should be making 4 or 5 million. Rielly doesnt stand up for his team-mates, do u call him grabbing a Columbus player after hitting Matthews, then wrestling him to the ground as any type of deterrant ? Rielly is a passive dman, he is ok losing wall battles, he has no fire inside to win those battles, he tried to pinch to pad his stats and his skating is the only thing that is NHL level. He has below average hockey sense, zero pride to win battles, refuses to throw a body check. He is just mr nice guy to the other team, passive, no push back at all. He can be an example in a very bad way to the Leafs team, to not give your all that night, to be mentally disengaged or to make bone headed plays and still get to play in the top 4, pp time, not playing Berube stystem he plays his own, soft, weak and pinch happy style. -19 is the results.

 

[Ports]

Rielly didnt take a discount, he is overpaid at 7.5 million. He should be making 4 or 5 million. Rielly doesnt stand up for his team-mates, do u call him grabbing a Columbus player after hitting Matthews, then wrestling him to the ground as any type of deterrant ? Rielly is a passive dman, he is ok losing wall battles, he has no fire inside to win those battles, he tried to pinch to pad his stats and his skating is the only thing that is NHL level. He has below average hockey sense, zero pride to win battles, refuses to throw a body check. He is just mr nice guy to the other team, passive, no push back at all. He can be an example in a very bad way to the Leafs team, to not give your all that night, to be mentally disengaged or to make bone headed plays and still get to play in the top 4, pp time, not playing Berube stystem he plays his own, soft, weak and pinch happy style. -19 is the results.

Totally agree. Worst contract on the team. He’s the one of the softest defensemen in the league and if he played for a team that actually wanted to win a cup they would have moved on from him years ago.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Rielly didnt take a discount, he is overpaid at 7.5 million. He should be making 4 or 5 million. Rielly doesnt stand up for his team-mates, do u call him grabbing a Columbus player after hitting Matthews, then wrestling him to the ground as any type of deterrant ? Rielly is a passive dman, he is ok losing wall battles, he has no fire inside to win those battles, he tried to pinch to pad his stats and his skating is the only thing that is NHL level. He has below average hockey sense, zero pride to win battles, refuses to throw a body check. He is just mr nice guy to the other team, passive, no push back at all. He can be an example in a very bad way to the Leafs team, to not give your all that night, to be mentally disengaged or to make bone headed plays and still get to play in the top 4, pp time, not playing Berube stystem he plays his own, soft, weak and pinch happy style. -19 is the results.

Rielly stood up for the empty net.

Anyone who watches the games knows there's plenty of examples of him standing up for his teammates. And if you want to say he's not living up to his contract that's one thing. But the fact remains that at time of signing it was a discount.

To say otherwise is not only intellectually dishonest it just isn't true.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

Rielly stood up for the empty net.

Anyone who watches the games knows there's plenty of examples of him standing up for his teammates. And if you want to say he's not living up to his contract that's one thing. But the fact remains that at time of signing it was a discount.

To say otherwise is not only intellectually dishonest it just isn't true.

He does stand up for his team. Sure. As much as any other NHL player does.
Dime a Dozen of guys who are in the league and stick up for teammates.

But honestly, when it comes to cup contending teams. Players that really have that nasty bite.
What he does barely constitutes standing up for your team.

Especially as your #1 Dman.

It's noticeable last year and even more so this year that Rielly is a bit of a weak softy, because Dubas was fired and the team had a 1000% Testosterone boost.
Tougher players brought in, and the D can actually shut down cycles, and lay the body and KILL plays.
Even the core 4 brought an extra notch in the way they play physical.

Rielly looks weaker than the entire core 4 except maybe Mitch

And you can't have that as your #1 D man.

Thats why hes our 5th Dman out there TBH.

Mccabe -Tanev
OEL - XXXX
Benoit - XXXXX

I hope this Mermis guy elevates.

 

[Stephen]

He does stand up for his team. Sure. As much as any other NHL player does.
Dime a Dozen of guys who are in the league and stick up for teammates.

But honestly, when it comes to cup contending teams. Players that really have that nasty bite.
What he does barely constitutes standing up for your team.

Especially as your #1 Dman.

It's noticeable last year and even more so this year that Rielly is a bit of a weak softy, because Dubas was fired and the team had a 1000% Testosterone boost.
Tougher players brought in, and the D can actually shut down cycles, and lay the body and KILL plays.
Even the core 4 brought an extra notch in the way they play physical.

Rielly looks weaker than the entire core 4 except maybe Mitch

And you can't have that as your #1 D man.

Thats why hes our 5th Dman out there TBH.

Mccabe -Tanev
OEL - XXXX
Benoit - XXXXX

I hope this Mermis guy elevates.

Pound for pound, Mo is one of the heaviest Leafs players at 225 pounds. For reference Matthew Knies is 227, Auston Matthews is under 220, Ryan Reaves is 225. Haakanpaa is 225 and they’re all taller.

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Now I get it. Some workhorse defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Drew Doughty have that stout build and they’re a fire hydrant out there. But Mo Rielly’s game isn’t about winning a lot of battles or clearing the crease. He doesn’t man handle guys. He doesn’t have a big heavy shot. He’s not a big and strong presence like a McAvoy, take up space and holds his ground. He’s the opposite. He runs around like it’s a fire drill in everything. And McAvoy and Doughty are in the 210s. For reference, a guy like Luke Schenn is 225 pounds too. And he’s a tower of power, police man out there. Those two guys having the same playing weight is just counter intuitive.

So I’m not really understanding the need to bulk up to these levels if you’re playing the game sluggish and negating speed, and you’re not primarily clearing the net front or winning battles out there.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

He does stand up for his team. Sure. As much as any other NHL player does.
Dime a Dozen of guys who are in the league and stick up for teammates.

But honestly, when it comes to cup contending teams. Players that really have that nasty bite.
What he does barely constitutes standing up for your team.

Especially as your #1 Dman.

It's noticeable last year and even more so this year that Rielly is a bit of a weak softy, because Dubas was fired and the team had a 1000% Testosterone boost.
Tougher players brought in, and the D can actually shut down cycles, and lay the body and KILL plays.
Even the core 4 brought an extra notch in the way they play physical.

Rielly looks weaker than the entire core 4 except maybe Mitch

And you can't have that as your #1 D man.

Thats why hes our 5th Dman out there TBH.

Mccabe -Tanev
OEL - XXXX
Benoit - XXXXX

I hope this Mermis guy elevates.

You and I are so far apart that I'm just gonna say I agree to disagree and leave it at that.

 

[ToneDog]

 

[CabanaBoy5]

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Absolutely pitiful from a supposed #1 dman who is being paid that way. Let's dig a little deeper. There are only 10 players with worst +/- in the league. Of the bottom 25 players, of which Rielly is one of course, not one team is in a playoff position (it's understandable their +/- would be bad). Sure, he's on the ice for empty net goals against, but how many of those are the result of his poor play and decisions at the blueline? Maybe 3 that I can remember. Even at 5 on 5, he is a -5, not great playing for a team that's 2nd in their division.

Now, some will say defence isn't his strength, it's his offence we're paying for. He's trending for 36 points by the end of the year! Even by his standards that's extremely underwhelming. If he has a poor playoffs, and costs us a key goal like he did in game 7 last playoffs, we need to do everything we can to get rid of this guy. He's not going to get any better, quicker, or smarter in the remaining years of his contract.

 

[ToneDog]

Absolutely pitiful from a supposed #1 dman who is being paid that way. Let's dig a little deeper. There are only 10 players with worst +/- in the league. Of the bottom 25 players, of which Rielly is one of course, not one team is in a playoff position (it's understandable their +/- would be bad). Sure, he's on the ice for empty net goals against, but how many of those are the result of his poor play and decisions at the blueline? Maybe 3 that I can remember. Even at 5 on 5, he is a -5, not great playing for a team that's 2nd in their division.

Now, some will say defence isn't his strength, it's his offence we're paying for. He's trending for 36 points by the end of the year! Even by his standards that's extremely underwhelming. If he has a poor playoffs, and costs us a key goal like he did in game 7 last playoffs, we need to do everything we can to get rid of this guy. He's not going to get any better, quicker, or smarter in the remaining years of his contract.

Unless he turns it up in the playoffs or he is playing with something that we do not know about, you have to cut bait this summer. You can't have an underperforming $7.5m dman when you are paying 3 playoff super duds almost $38m going forward.

 

[thewave]

View attachment 972172

View attachment 972173

And why does Berube keep riding all the duds?

 

[Ports]

Rielly stood up for the empty net.

Anyone who watches the games knows there's plenty of examples of him standing up for his teammates. And if you want to say he's not living up to his contract that's one thing. But the fact remains that at time of signing it was a discount.

To say otherwise is not only intellectually dishonest it just isn't true.

Where’s the proof for that ? It’s a fan / media narrative but he never got to free agency.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Where’s the proof for that ? It’s a fan / media narrative but he never got to free agency.

Just based on what his peers were signing for that year.

Werenski - 9.8 Jul 2021
Jones 9.5 Jul 2021
McAvoy - 9.5 Oct 2021
Fox 9.5 Nov 2021
Nurse 9.25 Aug 2021
Makar 9.0 Jul 2021
Hamilton 9.0 Jul 2021
Rielly 7.5 Oct 2021

Rielly's comparables all took significantly more.

It was a well celebrated fact at the time that Rielly took a discount. To attempt to change that now is revisionist history. You can argue he currently isn't performing up to his contract.

But he took a discount at the time of signing and that's a fact.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Rielly isn’t even remotely comparable to Makar

His discount at the time of signing might be argued, but he’s no discount at the moment that is for sure.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Rielly stood up for the empty net.

Anyone who watches the games knows there's plenty of examples of him standing up for his teammates. And if you want to say he's not living up to his contract that's one thing. But the fact remains that at time of signing it was a discount.

To say otherwise is not only intellectually dishonest it just isn't true.

Rielly standing up for his team-mates is the same as your older sister in high school standing up for u. Its more embarassing than backing people off. Facts.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Leafs are the best team this year since 34, 88, 16 got drafted. At this stage, the differences are small and u can target guys to exploit. The Leafs will lose this year in the playoffs and 44 will be a big part of that. How many -2 or -3 games can u have in a 7 game series. Wait for it.