Toronto Maple Leafs: Things to watch and bold predictions for 2019

Morgan Rielly wins the Norris Trophy

It has been a while since a Leafs defenceman has had a season like Rielly is having and while it is too early to say whether he can win the Norris Trophy, it is tough to think of a candidate more deserving right now.

The 24-year-old leads all defenceman with 13 goals and 44 points in 39 games and while it might be tough to sustain that production, everything Rielly has done continues to surprise many.

Right now his toughest competition has to be Mark Giordano, and John Carlson who are having great seasons as well. It was Rielly who won the first quarter poll among NHL.com writers so there is a reason to believe that the award is his to lose at this point.

There has never been a Norris Trophy winner on the Leafs and with Rielly’s offensive ability and improved defensive play, this might be the Leafs best chance to win the award.

"“His stick and his feet in the d-zone and defensive awareness has gotten way better. I think getting Ron Hainsey here has helped him in that way and obviously he’s got good growth,” Mike Babcock told Jackie Spiegel of the Sporting News."

This has to be Babcock’s greatest accomplishment since taking over as the Leafs coach as he took a raw talent in Rielly and transformed him into one of the Leafs most valuable players. If he were to win the Norris, it might bring some legitimacy to a blue line that’s been the constant point of criticism for years.