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Toronto Maple Leafs 2018-19 Player Grades

By James Tanner

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO,ON – DECEMBER 6: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 6, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Morgan Rielly by Peri Gallacher

To put it simply, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly had his best season in his entire 6 year NHL career this 2018-2019 season.

Rielly played in all 82 regular season games as well as all 7 playoff games, and was a force on the ice in every single one despite his partner not being the most first string equipped player available to him.

Even in some the Leafs worst played games, Rielly was consistent and showed up each and every time. But that’s nothing new for Rielly, who has always been more reliable than most.

Besides his ice presence defensively, Rielly also had a record breaking offense season, beating his past season record of 52 points by a whopping 20 [52A 20G] for a career high of 72 total points.

The fact that in his total assists this year is the same as his total points in the 2017-2018 season is something to say, and that’s excluding playoff points , where he has a goal and 4 assists under his belt for this past season. ( Stats from  hockeydb.com )

It is also to be said that Rielly was easily one of the top defensemen in the league; having been one of the highest scoring defensemen in the league this season and being a valuable tool in 5v5 situations, Id like to say for the record that, Rielly was completely ROBBED BLIND of a Norris nomination.

D. Toronto Maple Leafs. MORGAN RIELLY. A+.

Rielly’s character also spoke for itself this season, being one of the most humble guys in the world must be so tiring. Being quoted by Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, “… no one loves being a leaf more than [Rielly]” He’s proven himself as a true team player and key member in the locker room.

Rielly would also stick his neck out for his team mates when they were being but through the ringer [see Game 7 2019 post interview re: Jake Gardiner ] it’s not a stretch to say there were few players on the team who’s desire to succeed paralleled Rielly. From start to finish he gave his all and that in itself is enough for a good grade.

He gets an A+

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