The Toronto Maple Leafs were just getting their game back when the sun momentarily set on all things NHL. As the league’s greatest stars chase ultimate glory at the Olympic stage in Italy, front offices have their own battles to fight. While there is a stay on trade activity for now, discussions about the same are bound to pick up speed.
The Leafs might have to sit down with a very expensive defenseman and have an exceedingly uncomfortable conversation with him.
Is the Toronto Maple Leafs-Morgan Rielly Partnership Out of Gas?
Brad Treliving must address the elephant in the room: Morgan Rielly’s mammoth contract, which has attracted much ire from all corners of the community.
Once envisioned as a star defenseman capable of adding the bite the Leafs’ blue line needed so desperately, things have fared rather disappointingly for the 31-year-old defenseman. Perhaps the two parties need to come together to ‘the talk.’ The Maple Leafs might need to introduce the idea of a move.
Rielly is by no means a bad player, but with the prospect of a retool facing the Maple Leafs, a move involving Rielly is not entirely out of the question.
“I think it’ll be once the season concludes, that they’re gonna go back to Morgan Rielly and say we’ve gotta do something bold here, will you consider a move,” David Pagnotta speculated during his appearance on “The Sheet.”
Of course, we have to consider Rielly’s contract. The 31-year-old is halfway through his eight-year, $60 million contract with a $7.5 million AAV. Moreover, the d-man has been in the Maple Leafs roster for the entirety of his career and has a no-movement clause. Unless Rielly is enthusiastic about a move, there will be none.
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To further complicate things, the 31-year-old is an enduring presence in the locker room. A favourite among all his teammates, Rielly is known for his leadership skills and unrivaled hospitality.
As reported by Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, Oliver Ekman-Larsson said about Rielly:
“Awesome guy. Awesome teammate. He takes a lot of pride in pulling that jersey on and being a good leader for us. And as a new guy coming in, he was one of those guys that helped me out, just to feel welcome and feel like home. Mo is unbelievable and an unbelievable player for us. He’s been fun to play with.”
As difficult as losing a veteran player might be, Rielly might benefit from a change of scenery. The defenseman’s bite when it comes to checking has been compromised, and so has been his power-play performance. If the Leafs are to make a comeback via a retool, management must decide on Rielly, no matter how uncomfortable that subject might be.
