Toronto Maple Leafs: Big Chance for Morgan Rielly to Prove Himself
Team North America will have a lot to prove when the World Cup of Hockey gets underway, especially Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenceman Morgan Rielly.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Rielly fifth overall in 2012, Brian Burke believed they took the best player in the draft. The Leafs’ management group were so impressed with what he had to offer, they thought he was going to go first overall.
Four years and 236 career games later the Leafs see the potential Rielly possesses, although head coach Mike Babcock is not yet ready to label him as a number one defenceman. With a new long-term deal and a prominent role on Team North America for the World Cup of Hockey, he is in a position to show what he can do on the big stage.
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In his first practice with Team North America, Reilly was placed alongside the Florida Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad as the top pairing. This should speak to how much value he brings to the team, not only with his skill but his experience – especially for a team with players 23-years old and younger.
Rielly is one of the most experienced defencemen on the team, with three NHL seasons under his belt and a gold medal from the World Championship with Team Canada in May. It should be no surprise to see him in a position to be a leader and a key component of the defence.
It is something the Vancouver native will have to get used to this season with the Leafs, who plan to have this year’s first overall pick Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner on the team. Rielly spoke with Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star about how he plans to tackle the challenge of being a mentor for the younger players.
"“When you get that many young guys that are extremely talented that have a chance to make the jump, you have to take it upon yourself to help them out. But they are mature young men who know what they have to do.“It comes down to making them feel comfortable, treating them like equals like you would anyone else. It goes without saying. It’s important but it can go a long way to making people feel comfortable.”"
Rielly will get an opportunity to play with Matthews at the World Cup of Hockey, which should help build chemistry and familiarity with the Leafs’ prized prospect. While it will be important for him to show his ability to take on a leadership role, he will also be in charge of defending against the top players in the world.
Luckily for Rielly, Team North America has a strong group of players, so the pressure will not be solely on him. He will be given a great chance to show that he is now the number one defenceman the Leafs were hoping for back in 2012.
Throughout his time in Toronto, the 22-year-old has not had the luxury of playing with someone like Ekblad, or whoever Todd McLellan decides to partner him with. With Babcock leading Team Canada, he is probably looking forward to going up against his coach and showing him what he can do.
Leafs fans will quite rightly look forward to seeing what kind of impact Matthews can have in his first taste of playing against the top players in the NHL. However, Rielly’s play at the tournament is also an important storyline to follow.
It can be argued Reilly has not played alongside players with the same pedigree as Ekblad (with apologies to Matt Hunwick, Martin Marincin, and Roman Polak). If he plays well with the former first overall draft pick, it potentially gives Toronto an idea of what steps they need to take next in their rebuild.
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The Leafs have the talent upfront that should make them an interesting team to watch, but it will not mean as much if they cannot give Rielly the support he needs. The World Cup of Hockey gives him the best opportunity to prove he is the most important building block for the Leafs defence going forward.