Rielly ranked #1 of 2012 draft class in TSN (Craig Button) Top 30 NHL Prospects

[Preisst*]

The dude scored 130 points a season, who gives a **** if he was bad defensively

Good grief, I swear no player is accepted on HFBoards unless he scores 100 points AND wins the Selke.

At least you're admitting he was horrible defensively.

 

[Canadian Time]

Murray has done nothing to lower his stock since the draft but Rielly has passed Reinhart for me.

In the Canada game today I thought Rielly struggled but I really hope he isnt stuck with Hamilton the whole time because their style of play doesn't compliment well

"Stuck" with Hamilton? Rielly looked very poor in today's game, that's not all on his partner. But that's what exhibition is for, to work out the bugs and get acclimatized. I like Rielly and hope he comes through in this tourney but these comparisons to Orr are getting out of hand.

 

[Leafidelity]

"Stuck" with Hamilton? Rielly looked very poor in today's game, that's not all on his partner. But that's what exhibition is for, to work out the bugs and get acclimatized. I like Rielly and hope he comes through in this tourney but these comparisons to Orr are getting out of hand.

Stuck with Hamilton is correct. Both dmen wanted to be down low and in the play, and today it was Rielly playing anchor. He wasn't used to his strengths being the backup.

 

[Frankie]

haven't seen much of rielly at all, but based on what i've read here, i was expecting nothing short of domination today.

already we're seeing the excuses being trotted out. he's not yet "acclimatized", and his defence partner is hurting him. not his fault, of course.

i'm still expecting him to totally dominate the tournament.

 

[Canadian Time]

He wasn't used to his strengths being the backup.

Yeah, that must be it.

 

[Razor]

Stuck with Hamilton is correct. Both dmen wanted to be down low and in the play, and today it was Rielly playing anchor. He wasn't used to his strengths being the backup.

Which was odd because I've been hearing about how Spott wants Dougie to be the stay at home guy while Riles joins the rush and creates separation for the top line.

 

[Leafidelity]

Yeah, that must be it.

I recommend watching hockey. It makes more sense when you see it being played. Rielly is most effective when he's able to move along the wall. Hamilton was playing that role today.

 

[Frankie]

I recommend watching hockey. It makes more sense when you see it being played. Rielly is most effective when he's able to move along the wall. Hamilton was playing that role today.

this begs the question, why was hamilton playing that role today? why was rielly not allowed to play to his strengths?

does steve spott not watch hockey?

 

[Morbo]

haven't seen much of rielly at all, but based on what i've read here, i was expecting nothing short of domination today.

already we're seeing the excuses being trotted out. he's not yet "acclimatized", and his defence partner is hurting him. not his fault, of course.

i'm still expecting him to totally dominate the tournament.

 

[ponder]

I didn't see a this particular game, but I've seen plenty of Rielly in general. Rielly playing poorly in one game isn't a big deal, he has good and bad nights like anyone else. Still, people should realize that he's a player with strengths and weaknesses. His strengths include elite skating, vision and puck handling. His weaknesses include a mediocre shot, lack of physicality, and below average defence. Don't expect him to be a dominant 2-way dman right now, because he clearly isn't. He's a phenomenal puck handler, skater, puck mover, etc. who has work to do on other areas of his game.

As for the Rielly/Hamilton pairing, you have to think that they have the potential to be great together, but time will tell if they can develop chemistry. If they can't pairing Rielly with a defensive dman like Harrington or Reinhart could be a good idea. One issue, though, is that other than Hamilton, the only right handed dman on the team is Murphy, and Rielly/Murphy would be a terrible pairing. So if he doesn't work with Hamilton, he'll have to play with another left shot.

Long term, I do sort of wonder how Rielly, Phaneuf, Gardiner and Liles will all play on the same team. It could easily be the case that non of those guys play particularly well together, they're all risk takers who love to handle the puck. We have a lot of talented dmen (in terms of current players and prospects combined), but I think some trades may be necessary over time to come up with a unit that works.

 

[Dangles McGavin]

I didn't see a this particular game, but I've seen plenty of Rielly in general. Rielly playing poorly in one game isn't a big deal, he has good and bad nights like anyone else. Still, people should realize that he's a player with strengths and weaknesses. His strengths include elite skating, vision and puck handling. His weaknesses include a mediocre shot, lack of physicality, and below average defence. Don't expect him to be a dominant 2-way dman right now, because he clearly isn't. He's a phenomenal puck handler, skater, puck mover, etc. who has work to do on other areas of his game.

As for the Rielly/Hamilton pairing, you have to think that they have the potential to be great together, but time will tell if they can develop chemistry. If they can't pairing Rielly with a defensive dman like Harrington or Reinhart could be a good idea. One issue, though, is that other than Hamilton, the only right handed dman on the team is Murphy, and Rielly/Murphy would be a terrible pairing. So if he doesn't work with Hamilton, he'll have to play with another left shot.

Long term, I do sort of wonder how Rielly, Phaneuf, Gardiner and Liles will all play on the same team. It could easily be the case that non of those guys play particularly well together, they're all risk takers who love to handle the puck. We have a lot of talented dmen (in terms of current players and prospects combined), but I think some trades may be necessary over time to come up with a unit that works.

I agree with just about everything you said. People are kidding themselves by saying that Rielly is 'good' defensively. He's not bad, he's passable. Defensive awareness is the type of thing that comes with time (IMO), and I think confidence has a lot to do with his lack of physicality, though I never expect him to be the kind of player who does a jaw-dropping hit, though I'd love for him to add that element to his toolbox and become like Kris Letang.

I think Rielly - Phaneuf or Gardiner - Phaneuf could work as a pairing. I think Dion's defensive game is still improving as he's settling into a more defensive role. I don't think Liles is long-term, but who knows. It's possible that Gardiner gets traded for help up front. I love Gards so I'd hope that a possible return would be worth it.

 

[charliolemieux]

haven't seen much of rielly at all, but based on what i've read here, i was expecting nothing short of domination today.

already we're seeing the excuses being trotted out. he's not yet "acclimatized", and his defence partner is hurting him. not his fault, of course.

i'm still expecting him to totally dominate the tournament.

You should have watched the Summit series, or whatever it was.

The Russians v. the WHL All-Stars

Even amongst the best of the West he stood out. By the middle of the 1st game he was the #1 d-man. He deke'd a russian out of his jock when he thought he had Rielly pinned on the side boards. Then he was open for a one-timer but unfortunately his all-star- teammate took 2 extra strides behind the net before making the pass, an the goalie had got over.

HE has speed. He has dangles. He has great Hockey sense. As Gretzky once put it he knows to "go where the puck is going to be."

He's a keeper for sure. Phil Kessel is no longer the defacto Most Talented Player in the Leafs organization.

 

[TOGuy14]

All I know for sure is that I am extra pumped this year to watch the WJC in part because of Rielly.

 

[1995]

All I know for sure is that I am extra pumped this year to watch the WJC in part because of Rielly.

You won't be disappointed, Rielly will give you a reason to do this every game.

 

[The Blue Devil]

I didn't see a this particular game, but I've seen plenty of Rielly in general. Rielly playing poorly in one game isn't a big deal, he has good and bad nights like anyone else. Still, people should realize that he's a player with strengths and weaknesses. His strengths include elite skating, vision and puck handling. His weaknesses include a mediocre shot, lack of physicality, and below average defence. Don't expect him to be a dominant 2-way dman right now, because he clearly isn't. He's a phenomenal puck handler, skater, puck mover, etc. who has work to do on other areas of his game.

As for the Rielly/Hamilton pairing, you have to think that they have the potential to be great together, but time will tell if they can develop chemistry. If they can't pairing Rielly with a defensive dman like Harrington or Reinhart could be a good idea. One issue, though, is that other than Hamilton, the only right handed dman on the team is Murphy, and Rielly/Murphy would be a terrible pairing. So if he doesn't work with Hamilton, he'll have to play with another left shot.

Long term, I do sort of wonder how Rielly, Phaneuf, Gardiner and Liles will all play on the same team. It could easily be the case that non of those guys play particularly well together, they're all risk takers who love to handle the puck. We have a lot of talented dmen (in terms of current players and prospects combined), but I think some trades may be necessary over time to come up with a unit that works.

I disagree with this. From what I've seen he is physical, just not in the sense of crushing people. I've seen him go into the the corners to dig out a puck, he's more the type of player to use positioning to gain control of the puck than anything else.

 

[Beleafer4]

I dont know why people are butchering him for this game, I just thought he was unspectacular. Maybe thats why everyone is angry? But I didnt see that many defensive miscues. He had one when armia deked him, but otherwise?

As for Rielly's offense, it looked like it was hard to get it on for him. Canada was on the PK for what felt to be the entire game, and because of that, rielly had less playing time than usual. Secondly, even when they werent on the pk, I saw way too many individual efforts by Canada. In short, I thought Rielly barely touched the puck all game. And for him to play his game, he needs the puck.

Other thoughts on the game:
-I thought Armia was fantastic, made the Canadians look like pilons the entire game. Granlund was very good too
-RNH was great as well, but he slowed the play down a bit too much sometimes, to the point where it was static. That pass though... woo baby there is no one in the leafs system who can touch that, not even rielly
-Schiefele was allright, but he hogged the puck and ran into trouble a few too many times.
-Murphy had a good game.
-Makinnon>Drouin based on this game. I like his motor.
-Was MAJORLY dissappointed to not see barkov and ristolainen play. They were pretty much the only reason I even pvr'ed the game.
-Team looked like it lacked chemistry. Puck movement and distribution has to be a priority for Spott right now.

 

[charliolemieux]

All I know for sure is that I am extra pumped this year to watch the WJC in part because of Rielly.

You won't be disappointed, Rielly will give you a reason to do this every game.

True Dat~!!

Wish the games were at a decent time. I hate reruns, but as a guy who has had to get up at 4:45am I know that 4:30 is one nasty time to get out of bed.

Although watching hockey sure beats going to work.

 

[diceman934]

Rielly will be fine....I thought that no one stood out at all. There were some good plays, but for the most part we were watching a lot.

I was not impressed with the PP breakout of the center coming behind the net and taking the puck.....when you have an elite puck carrying D man you have him start the breakout with carrying the puck and looking for players with speed through the neutral zone.

Rielly played a very safe game and that is not typical of him.

 

[charliolemieux]

Rielly will be fine....I thought that no one stood out at all. There were some good plays, but for the most part we were watching a lot.

I was not impressed with the PP breakout of the center coming behind the net and taking the puck.....when you have an elite puck carrying D man you have him start the breakout with carrying the puck and looking for players with speed through the neutral zone.

Rielly played a very safe game and that is not typical of him.

Likely getting held back by the coach's system.

 

[weems]

I liked the Rielly pick and still do but after watching Galchenyuk today (admittedly hadnt seen much of him before) theres no way I would rank Rielly over him.

 

[weems]

Actually I would take Galchenyuk over both Yakupov and Hubs.
His skating was much better then I had heard and the guy has amazing hands. I bet after this tournament the hype around this kid will be insane.

 

[SarcazemKadri]

Actually I would take Galchenyuk over both Yakupov and Hubs.
His skating was much better then I had heard and the guy has amazing hands. I bet after this tournament the hype around this kid will be insane.

Might be a little rash basing your decision off one game.

 

[Frankie]

I dont know why people are butchering him for this game, I just thought he was unspectacular. Maybe thats why everyone is angry? But I didnt see that many defensive miscues. He had one when armia deked him, but otherwise?

i don't see anyone butchering him, or anyone angry? maybe i'm missing something.

i'm mostly surprised and perplexed by his game yesterday. i was expecting him to be spectacular, to totally dominate the game.

 

[ULF_55]

Might be a little rash basing your decision off one game.

Maybe it is that and his 1.85 PPG in the OHL this year? I remember when he started slowly and people were questioning him.

 

[Stephen]

I liked the Rielly pick and still do but after watching Galchenyuk today (admittedly hadnt seen much of him before) theres no way I would rank Rielly over him.

I really love what Rielly can bring to the organization and am truly happy to have him, but in an ideal world, but I think I'd rather have the security of knowing we have a legit top center option in the pipeline like Galchenyuk. It's crazy that we were basically one loss away from having to make that decision for ourselves.