Morgan Rielly Puts Playing Under Pressure in Toronto to Rest Once and for All
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The general sentiment around the Toronto Maple Leafs is that there is too much pressure from fans and media, but Morgan Rielly thinks that's a bunch of nonsense.
It's no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs get a lot of focus and attention that some could consider unwarranted. It seems to push players out of the city, and the constant spotlight and pressure is definitely a sore spot for potential free agents.
But it's much like every other team, as their media and fans want them to succeed and criticize them as well, although Toronto gets such a bright light on them due to their longstanding tenure as an Original Six team and one that used to be incredibly successful.
Morgan Rielly Pushes Back on the Idea of Extra Pressure in Toronto
Though, if you were to ask the longest tenured member of the Maple Leafs roster, he's say it's a bunch of nonsense.
Morgan Rielly recently spoke to analyst and insider Dave McCarthy about the so-called pressures of playing in Toronto and he was blunt in saying that he doesn't believe it's much of anything:
Yes! (It's garbage). I would agree... I think it is nonsense.
There's pressure playing for every single team that comes from within.
It's all equal over the span of the League because everyone is trying to win, everyone is trying to keep their job when it comes to management putting together the best team and if you are not the best team, guys get fired and have to find new jobs and nobody wants that.
So the pressure comes from within, does that make sense? In Toronto, there is more coverage maybe but guys love playing here and that's because of the quality of the organization, the ownership, the management and the kind of operation which they run.
There's pressure playing for every single team that comes from within.
It's all equal over the span of the League because everyone is trying to win, everyone is trying to keep their job when it comes to management putting together the best team and if you are not the best team, guys get fired and have to find new jobs and nobody wants that.
So the pressure comes from within, does that make sense? In Toronto, there is more coverage maybe but guys love playing here and that's because of the quality of the organization, the ownership, the management and the kind of operation which they run.
Strong words from the defender, as he clearly understands the business aspect of things and the pressure doesn't ride on the fan reaction, but the internal struggle of trying to do well in order to preserve both his, and others' jobs.
Rielly often gets a lot of criticism as well, especially for his defensive metrics but he's been the team's most reliable and healthiest player in a time where injuries seems to be at the forefront of the Maple Leafs' roster.
While he seemed to have taken a step back last season, he's looked completely different at camp and might end up finding his old touch.
Why Rielly Believes Playing in Toronto Is Exactly Where Players Want to Be
There have also been discussions about Rielly potentially being traded if Toronto were to bring in a premium piece up front or even exchange him for someone like an Erik Karlsson or Dougie Hamilton.
Though if Rielly had his way, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else and almost put out a signal to future free agents that things aren't as bad as they seem:
It's just like playing everywhere else but guys love it here. There is no animosity towards any pressure or input from the fans. Everyone loves playing here and we look forward to it.
You want to do something that matters, play somewhere that matters and if you want to do that, you do it here.
You want to do something that matters, play somewhere that matters and if you want to do that, you do it here.
Not for nothing, but Rielly being so dedicated to the cause even though he's been through some really rough stretches shows how underrated a locker room leader he truly is.
It's also a very bad sign for other teams around the league. If they were to believe that Toronto crumbles under the pressure of their fans then perhaps one small error can turn them against each other; especially in the playoffs.
But knowing that Rielly and the others think nothing of it and in fact, welcome the fan response whatever it may be; the motivation to win doesn't change.
With a new roster that's meaner, tougher and most importantly deeper, this season is going to look a whole lot different than in previous seasons.
There might be some pressure from the fans but for Morgan Rielly that seems perfectly fine with him.
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SEPTEMBRE 19 | 1554 ANSWERS Morgan Rielly Puts Playing Under Pressure in Toronto to Rest Once and for All Will Morgan Rielly hit 60+ points this year for the Maple Leafs? | ||
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