Photo credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs should be focusing on one particular situation currently holding them back, and the sooner they figure it out, the better.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly looking to open up shop for teams this season, there is a lot of discussion over who should stay or who should go when it comes to the potential retooling, and while the stars are safe; not everyone is.
Analysts believe Morgan Rielly’s time with Toronto should be nearing an end
That player so happens to be Morgan Rielly, and his future with Toronto was the subject of Sam McKee and Anthony Petrielli’s post-game chat on Saturday night after the Maple Leafs won 2-1 in a shootout over Vancouver.
Both talked about the future of Rielly going forward and came to the conclusion that he no longer fits, and that there needs to be an onus on management to get something done sooner rather than later:
If I’m setting the priorities for what needs to be done in the summer, that divorce needs to be at the top of the list.
It isn’t going to happen this year, but it’s something that the team needs to be proactive on right now. They need to look at Rielly and just be honest with him.
He’s only getting older, is not nearly as effective as he used to be, is a defensive liability, and won’t fit a retooling window especially if he keeps regressing; he left Saturday’s game and then the team played ‘the best period of the season’ (according to Craig Berube).
It’s time to move on from Morgan Rielly
If that’s not indicative of him needing to head out the door, then nothing is at this point. Asking him about his preferred destinations and where he would feel comfortable needs to happen now.
Rielly makes a ton of money, and his play as of late has not shown that he is worth that much so Toronto may be taking a bit of a hit on a return, however he’s not a #1 defenseman anymore and would thrive better in a 3/4 spot elsewhere.
He has 31 points in 54 games this year, but holds a minus-17 rating and has continued his regression this year. At one time, Rielly had 72 points in one season meanwhile he has that same amount over the last two; with horrific defense to boot.
There used to be a lot of excitement and hope for Morgan Rielly and everyone knows he’s been through the wringer at this point — he’s seen the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
But that hope has waned and the time to trade him is more apparent than ever.
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A new priority has jumped to the top of the Maple Leafs’ list
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