Morgan Rielly Turning Heads Before Maple Leafs Training Camp Even Starts
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to sources close to the team, Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has gotten himself into "the best shape of his life" this summer. Is he ready to bounce back?
Last season could be considered fairly mediocre at least when it comes to Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. Looking a step or two behind at times, he wasn't able to be that offensive force and often found himself on the wrong end of the scoresheet.
With a big contract and heavy expectations, there is going to be little leeway from the fans and critics when it comes to his production, and the quicker he can start rekindling some of his old talent; the better.
What Has Maple Leafs Fans Talking About Morgan Rielly Before Camp
But looking forward to this season, something might be looking a bit different with Rielly, and it has nothing to do with a new haircut.
According to sources close to the team, a lot of the chatter over the past day or two was how impressive Rielly looked so far physically with some stating that the veteran blueliner was "in the best shape of his life."
There's also a snapshot of Rielly as he attended practice, and from the looks of things he definitely got himself a little slimmer.
Compared to Rielly throughout the years, you can tell that recently he was a bit bulkier than he used to be; but seems to have gotten back down to a more manageable weight for him.
Rielly's Form Could Shape the Maple Leafs' Season Outlook
For someone who is as reliably durable as Rielly is (less than 75 games missed in his 12-year career) it's remarkable that now at 31 he's in the best shape of his career.
That's a massive boost for Toronto's hopes this season as a rejuvenated Rielly is a dangerous Rielly. If he can get back to his previous form where he had double digit goals and flirted with 50 assists; that's already a third of Mitch Marner's point total covered.
Plus, you're giving him a competent shutdown defender in Brandon Carlo for a full season, who can give Rielly the chance to pinch and be more active in the play without having to stress about hustling back after some bad luck.
It's also important to note that if Toronto's getting some of the old Rielly back, then it's only going to do wonders for their power play. No longer is this going to be a five-forward unit so getting him back to form is imperative for their success.
With the entirety of the team needing to work collectively and all contribute, it's going to be extremely important for Rielly to get back to his old ways and put up some serious numbers.
It sounds like he's ready to as well, and we won't have too long until we can judge for ourselves.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 1331 ANSWERS Morgan Rielly Turning Heads Before Maple Leafs Training Camp Even Starts Do you think Morgan Rielly is going to have a bounce-back season in 2025-26? | ||
| Yes | 1031 | 77.5 % |
| No | 300 | 22.5 % |
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