The main storyline for the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer has been Morgan Rielly. Specifically, his permanence on the club ahead of training camp signals that he’s not going anywhere, at least not anytime soon.
While there’s a chance the Leafs could still move the team’s longest-tenured player, it’s a safe bet he’ll be starting the season in Toronto.
And it’s Rielly's presence on the Maple Leafs' blueline that largely keeps the defense corps essentially intact.
The only change compared to last season is the addition of Emil Andrae. Beyond that, the Leafs will be running back with the same group. If everyone stays healthy and productive, fans won’t be complaining too much.
But there’s another side to having various veteran elements in the defensive group. Keeping vets around could become an obstacle for younger defensemen coming up the ranks. At the moment, the Maple Leafs don’t really have any prospects pushing for playing time.
Guys like Ben Danford just aren’t ready to take over a full-time NHL role. But just because they’re not ready now doesn’t mean they won’t ever be.
And when they are, Rielly, along with other veterans, could get in the way of allowing younger blueliners to get significant NHL playing time.
Maple Leafs should be happy Rielly is still around for now
For now, the Maple Leafs should be happy that Morgan Rielly is still around. Since there aren’t any significant defensive prospects ready to impact the NHL, the Leafs can afford to keep Rielly around.
He actually provides stability in a group that’s rife with question marks. The biggest one has to be Chris Tanev. Beyond that, Oliver Ekman-Larsson isn’t exactly a sure thing. There’s no telling just how much Andrae could turn out for the club.
While Jake McCabe is a known commodity, he’s pretty much the only guy everyone knows will deliver.
That’s why keeping Rielly is a good idea at this point in the team’s path. Without him, the Leafs would need to find someone who could munch up minutes while delivering reliable, if unspectacular play.
Toronto knows what it has in Rielly
Having Rielly around is like having a Toyota. It’s not the flashiest car on the road, but it’s safe and reliable.
That’s what the Leafs get from Rielly. Unless he took a trip to Shangri-La this summer, Rielly won’t be winning the Norris Trophy.
And that’s all right. As long as Rielly gobbles up minutes, avoids costly gaffes, and becomes a reliable option for Jim Hiller, the Leafs will be essentially getting their money’s worth.
At this point, the former first-round pick from 2012 is like a placeholder. Until one or multiple defense prospects truly emerge, the organization will need Rielly to be a stalwart. The price of going without him could be too much for the club to overcome.
Yes, the trade chatter won’t go away. But as long as Rielly continues to get the job done, the Leafs should be glad he’s still around.
Add us as a preferred source on Google