Present #2: Morgan Rielly Gets back to Being Morgan Rielly
Just 2 Seasons ago, Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Morgan Rielly had 20 goals and 72 points in a full 82 game season. That season he was also fourth in Byng Trophy voting, fifth in Norris Trophy voting, and was ever so close to being an NHL all-star (all stats hockeyreference.com). However last season, Rielly was held to only 27 points in 47 games and was riddled with problems.
To accompany injuries that lingered all season, Rielly offered up his #1 powerplay spot to teammate Tyson Barrie in hopes to get a struggling Barrie off the ground. This resulted in Rielly missing key opportunities to pad his numbers.
Rielly missed a quarter of the 2019-20 season and struggled both visually and statically. He seemed to have lost a stride in his skating and was just straight-up embarrassed at other times (thanks Connor McDavid).
With an extended offseason, Morgan Rielly has had the opportunity to rehab any injuries that were bothering him last season, and just work on all areas of his game. Rielly being by far the Leaf’s #1 Defensemen and is a vital key to their success.
It would be a delightful gift for all Leaf fans far and wide if Rielly returned to the 2018-19 version of himself.