Morgan Rielly

[PanniniClaus]

Which is okay imo - I don't think we've consistently seen anything from Benoit this season that should make anyone go "must be game 1 starter"

The guy is first over the boards for the PK. He's not going anywhere.

 

[Atomos2]

Looked great yesterday. Coming on at the right time too.

 

[Roo]

He’s looked better with Carlo. Not sure that is really enough given how poor he has played this year. Hoping once the game style adjusts in playoffs it will suit him more. We need him to step up like he did two years ago. That would be huge.

 

[1specter]

Which is okay imo - I don't think we've consistently seen anything from Benoit this season that should make anyone go "must be game 1 starter"

Benoit has actually been great during this last stretch of games, he's even been joining in the rush more and showing some offensive chops and the analytics have been kind to him as well. Plus, players with Benoit's skillset tend to fare better in the playoffs as they are allowed to get away with more, and he brings an edge that we need. Benny has fairly earned his spot as of now.

 

[1specter]

He’s looked better with Carlo. Not sure that is really enough given how poor he has played this year. Hoping once the game style adjusts in playoffs it will suit him more. We need him to step up like he did two years ago. That would be huge.

He's been much better of late and is starting to put up some points again. 6 pts in his last 5 games and managed to at least put up a 40 pt season which is still respectable.

 

[LeafSteel]

If Rielly can drop 10-15 lbs over the Summer and improve his conditioning, with more comfort and familiarity with Carlo, this could be the best version of Rielly that we’ve ever had.

Just add it to the list of wasted resources due to not building the team properly, but glad that we are here now.

 

[LeafEgo]

Benoit has actually been great during this last stretch of games, he's even been joining in the rush more and showing some offensive chops and the analytics have been kind to him as well. Plus, players with Benoit's skillset tend to fare better in the playoffs as they are allowed to get away with more, and he brings an edge that we need. Benny has fairly earned his spot as of now.

Benny is our #6 but how much separation is there between him and Myers to push OEL to his off side?

 

[1specter]

Benny is our #6 but how much separation is there between him and Myers to push OEL to his off side?

Myers is pretty bad and quite soft for a big man IMO. Too much of a liability out there

 

[Tak7]

The guy is first over the boards for the PK. He's not going anywhere.

He's 5th on the team in penalty kill time, which is pretty surprising - Tanev, Marner, McCabe, and Kampf.

There's quite a big gap in ice time between the top 5 and the next, which includes Matthews and Knies.

So, yeah, his PK usage is definitely good indication that he'll be in the lineup. Good point.

 

[PanniniClaus]

He's 5th on the team in penalty kill time, which is pretty surprising - Tanev, Marner, McCabe, and Kampf.

There's quite a big gap in ice time between the top 5 and the next, which includes Matthews and Knies.

So, yeah, his PK usage is definitely good indication that he'll be in the lineup. Good point.

He has really upped his PK game while McCabe has been out so it will be interesting to see how the minutes are doled out when he returns.

It is the system, 1-3 "forecheck", (loose term as we rarely deny entry) and some of the forward play that has us in 19th position in the NHL.

 

[arso40]

The guy is first over the boards for the PK. He's not going anywhere.

Who mccabe?

 

[TMLAM34]

He’s played a lot better ever since Carlo’s arrival.

McCabe - Tanev
Rielly - Carlo
Ekman Larsson - Myers
Benoit

Would be my blueline heading into the playoffs.

I do think Benoit is better than Myers but the difference between the two isn’t enough to move OEL onto his off-season.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Who mccabe?

Benoit has been 1st in PK minutes since McCabe went out and I don't know if that will change. He's been excellent.

 

[arso40]

Benoit has been 1st in PK minutes since McCabe went out and I don't know if that will change. He's been excellent.

He has been pretty solid and it would make the second pair stronger splitting benoit and Carlo up too

 

[The Apologist]

It's kind of funny that after all the exaggerations and hysteria in this thread, Rielly currently has a positive goal differential at 5v5.

I was sure we were going to pay a first just to get rid of him the way some were talking.

It's kind of funny to me how much people bitch that this team needs playoff performers while many of the same were trying to railroad quite possibly the only Leaf to consistently step up.

 

[darrylsittler27]

The moment he got the puck in somewhat tight coverage, I knew he was gonna turn it over. And when he got that prime pass from Knies in OT, I knew he wasn’t scoring either (though that one turned out fine in the end!).

He’s always had some flaws, but been a mostly good player, but this year his game has totally fallen apart. His offensive game has been worse than the stats tell, he doesn’t really drive anything, and a tonne of plays die the moment he gets the puck. He’s picking up assists mostly by just touching the puck a fair bit and the next guy or two happens to score, vs actually creating the offence. And defensively, a well below average season for him too.

Hopefully he can bounce back - if this is just the new Rielly as he ages, that’s a pretty terrible contract. This year and 5 more at $7.5 mil, when he’s currently playing more like a $2-3 mil defender (clearly a level below $3.5 mil OEL IMO, and way below $4.5 mil Tanev/McCabe).

Reilly needs a good playoffs or the Leafs will have to eat some of his contract. Vancouver would look at Reilly as a 3rd dman for 5 mill per .

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Benoit has been playing lights out recently .. he and Carlo and Tanev are our top 3 defensive dmen who Berube relies on .. he will start in playoffs guaranteed

 

[Gallagbi]

Oel next to Carlo makes sense it just means bennys scratched

Who would be the 6th D?

OEL is fine, but I don't want to give him more TOI

 

[Gary Nylund]

Benoit has been 1st in PK minutes since McCabe went out and I don't know if that will change. He's been excellent.

I wonder why our PK sucks if Benoit is excellent, and Marner is supposedly awesome at everything he does.

 

[PanniniClaus]

I wonder why our PK sucks if Benoit is excellent, and Marner is supposedly awesome at everything he does.

Been better since Benoit has taken over the top minutes on the back end.

The anatomy of a penalty kill is:

1. Faceoff - we need to win more and get pucks out right away
2. Deny entry. We play a 1-3 like everyone else but we just don't make as many plays at or around the blueline.
3. Our base in zone system is an extremely passive wedge - we can tailor it more to one opponent in playoffs. We do not do enough 4 man pressure , just refuse to take any risks. So we get too much possession agianst us and the forwards do not make enough interceptions. Overall the D do their jobs anchoring the net and Benoit has become another goaltender there.

Marner is a decent killer and would probably be even better if we decided to play more "4 go"

Berube is ultra conservative in all aspects save for the Powerplay. I am actually shocked he's allowing 5 forwards and I don't know how long that will last if we give up a playoff shorty or 2.

 

[banks]

Led the team in ice time and was a +2 tonight, by the way.