2022-2023 Toronto Maple Leafs Defensemen Grades

#3. Morgan Rielly

Stats with the Leafs:

Regular Season:

Games Played: 65

Goals: 4

Assists: 37

Playoffs:

Games Played: 11

Goals: 4

Assists: 8

Contract Status:

Signed through 2028-29 at $7.5M AAV.

Overall Thoughts:

Rielly is the alpha dog on the Leafs defense and he’s paid like a top-tier player at his position. Head Coach Sheldon Keefe, who recently signed a two-year extension, gives Rielly the most minutes, deploys him on the power-play and even trotted him out on the penalty kill a few times.

There is no doubt that Rielly is a skilled hockey player. Nonetheless, he does not fit the description of a prototypical ace shut-down defender. He doesn’t thump the opposition and strike fear into anyone who wants to create havoc for the Leafs goaltenders.

2022-23 could really be broken down into three separate semesters for Rielly. The first portion was pre-injury, which he sustained late in November. That version of Rielly was not spectacular. He seemed to not look comfortable in his own uniform. His offensive production was down and he struggled defensively. Rielly deserves a solid C+ for that span.

In his absence, due to the knee injury he suffered from a collision with New York Islander Kyle Palmieri, the Leafs went 12-2-1.

Upon his return, Rielly initially performed sub-par, which is understandable after missing game action. His 5v5 stats were abysmal for a handful of games, but he slowly shook the rust and illustrated more of the puck carrying, play driving role that the Leafs need out of him. This third of his report card nets a B+.

Then playoff Rielly was activated. He had four assists in game two against the Lightning, scored the OT winner in game three, tied it late in game four (the Toronto Maple Leafs would go on to win the game on an Alexander Kerfoot goal in the first OT), and got the tying goal against the Panthers in game five of the second round. Wait, the puck never crossed the line?!? Rielly was sensational in the playoffs and earned an A+.

Overall, Rielly, who was ranked as the 10th best defenseman going into the 2022-23 season, averages out at a B+.