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Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Bold prediction heading into the 2019-20 season

By David Morassutti

Auston Matthew #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs congratulates Frederik Andersen #31 after the final whistle of an NHL pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Auston Matthew #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs congratulates Frederik Andersen #31 after the final whistle of an NHL pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Colorado Avalanche during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 14, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Morgan Rielly finishes up as runner up for Norris Trophy

It was surprising to see that Morgan Rielly wasn’t one of the runners up for the Norris Trophy last season but it’s tough to argue against Mark Giordano being the recipient.

After scoring 20 goals and 72 points in 82 games last season, there were serious conversations around Rielly being a potential candidate as the best defenceman in the league. Unfortunately, not only did Giordano have more points than Rielly but he also played more on the penalty kill.

Rielly averaged 1:05 time on ice shorthanded while Giordano played 2:40 minutes a night in the penalty kill. this is something Rielly will have to do more of if he wants a serious consideration for the Norris but that’s not really up to him either.

It will help that Rielly will be a workhorse on the Leafs blue line and hopefully he continues to produce like he has at five-on-five to be in the conversation. Considering he’s only 25 years old, Rielly still has time to prove he’s a perennial Norris Trophy candidate but maybe losing out on the ballot while give him motivation to improve on a career year.

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