Morgan Rielly doesn't get the credit he deserves
Morgan Rielly has had a stellar season for the Leafs through the team's first 38 games. In Saturday's win against the New York Islanders, Rielly came away with a goal, an assist, and some high praise from Leafs captain John Tavares.
«One of the best defencemen I've played with. Even as good as he is and as much recognition as he gets, I still thinks he's looked upon as a little bit underrated," Tavares said of Rielly.
Rielly has had an excellent bounce back season playing with T.J. Brodie again this year, and the two have been an excellent pairing for the Leafs. Their play-styles complement each other exceptionally well, and Reilly's defensive improvements have only added to the effectiveness of them as a unit.
Earlier this season, Rielly signed an 8-year extension that pays him $7.5 million per season. The slick skating blueliner took a discount to stay with the Leafs. He has played some of the best hockey of his career.
Tavares wasn't the only Leaf who brought up the sensational play of Morgan Rielly this season, as Mitch Marner also decided to pump Rielly's tires following Saturday's win in Long Island.
"It's insanity he hasn't been a one-time All-Star to be honest," said Marner, pointing out that for as consistently solid as Morgan Rielly has been in his career, he has never earned an invite to the NHL All-Star Game.
Auston Matthews and Jack Campbell are this year's representatives from the Leafs, but Rielly sits 4th in team scoring and could just as easily have made the cut.
