The conversation around Morgan Rielly's future in Toronto is changing
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to James Mirtle of The Athletic, Morgan Rielly's tenure in Toronto may be coming to an end this summer if he doesn't start turning his season around.
The longest tenured member of the Toronto Maple Leafs is undoubtedly Morgan Rielly. Having been drafted fifth overall in 2012, he's been with the team for 13 seasons and has been a staple of the lineup while seeing the best and worst of things throughout the years.
This season started off with some hope however he's turning in yet another rough defensive year and is continually costing Toronto games; his latest escapades being a complete defensive collapse that led to an OT loss.
Toronto could part with Rielly this summer
He's been subject to some trade rumors however with a no-movement clause he would need to approve any deal first and it seems like Toronto is stuck with him through his large contract.
However, a new report from James Mirtle of The Athletic shows that the Maple Leafs may have finally grown tired of Rielly's inconsistencies and could look to essentially force himself to choose a new destination.
Mirtle writes:
We do see players around the league that have no movement clauses, that they just say...you're done here, where do you want to go...unless he turns it around this year, it kind of feels like that's where it's going with Rielly in the offseason.
Rielly has 26 points in 40 games which while respectable, isn't as dominating as you hope for. He's being outpaced by Oliver Ekman-Larsson in goals, and only holds a one point lead over him for the team lead for defenders.
Morgan Rielly's defensive miscues reaching critical mass
But where he's faltering is where he's needed most. Sitting with a minus-15 rating, he's got a minus-six goal differential and he's been on ice for a staggering 4.1 GA/60. Even when he's been at his worse he's held at least a positive DPS (defensive point share) but this year? 0.2. He's almost been as bad as you can get.
Sure, it doesn't help that he's had a rotating cast of defensive partners thanks to injuries, but come on. This is Rielly's 13th year with the team and this has been a consistently worsening issue.
This last half of the season is going to be the ultimate test. There's no doubt Rielly can bring the heat, but he needs to start being a competent defender first and focusing on improving on his shortcomings.
But if the Maple Leafs can't get him to turn things around then they seriously should think about forcing him to choose a new place to play. This team stressed hard about having a new look and bringing about change.
Why not start with arguably one of the biggest changes they can make?