The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Offensive Outlook
The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the current season with some apprehension regarding their offensive power following Mitch Marner’s exit, considering the team’s reliance on their core group—the so-called “Core Four”—to drive their goal-scoring for nearly a decade. Despite these concerns, the Leafs have started strongly, currently ranking third in the NHL with 22 goals after their first six games. A significant contributor to this robust start has been veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly.
Challenges and Adaptations
Last season posed challenges for Rielly as he struggled to adapt to the coaching style of Craig Berube, leading to frequent changes in his defensive partners. The situation saw a turning point when general manager Brad Treliving traded for Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins, who provided much-needed stability alongside Rielly, an offensive-minded player. Although Rielly’s overall performance was disappointing with just 41 points last season, he did manage to escalate his contributions in the playoffs with four goals and three assists.
However, his defensive game attracted scrutiny, particularly after a tough Game 7 against the Florida Panthers which saw him finish with a minus-three rating. This performance fueled speculation that Treliving might seek to move Rielly. Nonetheless, Treliving opted for a more collaborative approach and had an honest conversation with Rielly about improving his game. This dialogue seemed to motivate Rielly during the off-season, leading him to return to training camp fit and with a refreshed mindset, translating into more assertive play on the ice.
Performance Analysis and Current Standing
In the wake of their playoff loss to the Panthers, the pair analyzed Rielly’s performance, and Coach Berube praised Rielly’s efforts after his game-winning score against the Montreal Canadiens in the season opener. Berube remarked positively on Rielly’s skating, puck movement, and defensive plays while also acknowledging areas that still need work.
Rielly currently ranks tied for third in scoring amongst NHL defensemen, with six points, trailing only the likes of Cale Makar and Shayne Gostisbehere. Notably, he has tallied goals against the Canadiens and the Seattle Kraken in a recent 4-3 overtime defeat. A crucial aspect of Rielly’s game this season is his return to lead the power play; a role taken by Marner last season during a shift to a five-forward unit.
Unfortunately, the power play has not found its rhythm yet, converting just two of 14 opportunities for a 14.3% success rate, placing them in the bottom tier of the league.
Looking Ahead
Although Rielly has faced criticism for lacking a powerful shot from the point, his exceptional playmaking abilities have been his saving grace in the past. The success of Toronto’s power play will significantly determine how the team can fare without Marner, with aspirations of extending their playoff run beyond previous years’ limitations.
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