Morgan Rielly discusses his future in an interview, and why the longstanding Leafs wants to remain in Toronto.
In an interview with 'The Athletic', Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly spoke with reporters on his future, and why he's not looking to leave despite Toronto failing to make the playoffs.
Speaking with Joshua Kloke, Rielly said that his goal is to remain in Toronto, feeling loyalty for the team that drafted him despite a disappointing year.
My desire to stay in Toronto is always going to be there. There's a number of (reasons), but a big one is loyalty. Loyalty to the team that drafted you, I think that's a powerful thing. - Morgan Rielly (via Joshua Kloke/The Athletic)
The 32-year-old Rielly is signed with Toronto until 2030 with a no-move clause, dictating his future, a contract that may force the Leafs to build on defense alongside him rather than start fresh without him.
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As Joshua Kloke notes, Morgan Rielly is still one of the most popular players in the Leafs organization among fans, and it's that support from the fanbase that makes moving him another hurdle.
"He is still popular among the fan base. After our conversation, every Leaf was available for photographs and autographs on multiple practice rinks with Leafs fans during the team's annual Easter Seals skate. The lineup to interact with Rielly was longer than any other Leaf on his rink.
Kloke notes that this popularity could make it difficult to move on by Rielly, someone loved by the fans, and for Rielly someone who has embraced them back.
Rielly may begin to feel the pressure of the Leafs organization pushing him towards waiving his no-move clause for an exit if things cannot end mutually.
Otherwise, Toronto may be waiting until the day where potentially, Rielly falls out of favor as a Leaf, far too late for him to move on out.
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Morgan Rielly has been through worse as a Toronto Maple Leaf, having been on hockey's worst team in the pre-Auston Matthews era, so a season just outside the bottom-five is little of a challenge for Rielly.
Not looking to leave Toronto, a team where he's spent his entire NHL career, Rielly has begun to look out of his prime, but Rielly's contract is a hindrance to finding a potential younger replacement.
The power is in Rielly's court. He's the one with the no-move clause, but can the Leafs convince Rielly that a deal is best for him and to help the organization? That will be the question that comes up with any prospective Morgan Rielly move.
The Leafs, adding a new general manager for next season, will have to juggle the prestige and influence that Morgan Rielly has in the organization with winning.
Even with where the Leafs are, Morgan Rielly wants to keep the ship sailing in Toronto for better or worse, and it may be the Leafs having to upgrade on Rielly even if they can't let him go.
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