The Truth Behind Morgan Rielly's Quiet Comeback Before the Playoffs Revealed

Entering his 12th NHL season, Rielly had begun to have questions as his production dwindled, as well as a lack of impact defensively as he once had.

While Rielly has never been on the upper echelons of #1 defensemen in the NHL, it was being question if Rielly even had it in him to keep his spot in the lineup.

Talks began about potentially demoting Rielly, whether down the lineup or off the ice entirely to give him some rest away from game action, a signal that there is more that Rielly is not giving for the Leafs.

After the trade deadline, Rielly has re-emerged as a consistent defensive option for Toronto which come playoff time will be much needed for an offense-first Leafs roster.

After his slow start, Morgan Rielly has bounced back, and his partnership with newly acquired Brandon Carlo is playing a big part in Rielly returning to his prior top form.

Traded from the Boston Bruins for top prospect Fraser Minten, Carlo has been an impactful defenseman who has looked strong alongside Rielly on the Leafs top line.

The Rielly-Carlo pair have been effective as a tandem in their short time together, working well as teammates as if they've had years doing so.

A secondary add to the blockbuster deal for Scott Laughton, it may be Carlo who has so far provided perhaps what Toronto needed most in stability outside of their top weapons.

The pair have worked in balancing each other's game. The offensive-minded Rielly works alongside a shutdown defender in Carlo in picking up the other's weakness.

That's not to discredit Rielly, who has returned to being a key player for Toronto, but playing alongside Carlo has proven to be the right fit alongside Rielly which has quietly been highly impactful in the Leafs finding success on defense.