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Toronto Maple Leafs Can Become the New 2010 Chicago Blackhawks

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Nov 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward William Nylander (29) congratulate defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) on his goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Vancouver 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward William Nylander (29) congratulate defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) on his goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Vancouver 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 20, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Morgan Rielly (drafted fifth overall in 2012) — Duncan Keith (drafted 54th overall in 2002)

It’s safe to say that the Blackhawks rebuild started around the year 2002, in which they drafted defenceman Duncan Keith in that years draft. 10 years later, it looks like the Leafs rebuild had started that way also.

Although the Leafs had drafted some roster players earlier (Like Kadri and Komarov), there was quite a drafting drought before 2012, especially with the Leafs 2010 and 2011 first round picks being traded away to Boston in the Phil Kessel trade. From 2012 onwards, the Leafs have retained their first round pick every year.

The Leafs started their rebuild through the draft in a similar way to the Blackhawks – by drafting a defenceman.

Now, Keith wasn’t initially pegged to be as good as he is, going 54th overall, but Rielly on the other hand, has been expected to be a top line defenceman for the Leafs, and he is already playing like one.  Rielly is an offensive defenceman with a knack for the puck.

This is quite comparable to Keith, who was able to put up around 30-40 points in his first few seasons in the league. Rielly is getting to this comparable point, and still has lots of time as a 22-year-old leader on a very young team.

Duncan Keith is a two-time Norris Trophy winner. Morgan Rielly can perhaps become one if he keeps his play and evelopment up. Overall, the comparisons are quite alike, and perhaps in a few years Rielly will become the top defenceman for a contending Leafs team.

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