Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has long been a key piece of the franchise’s blue line, but this season, his offensive production has dipped noticeably. Now in the third year of his massive eight-year, $60 million contract, Rielly has managed just five goals and 18 assists across 52 games—numbers that don’t quite reflect his offensive prowess in past seasons.
Recently, head coach Craig Berube shared his candid thoughts on Rielly’s performance, emphasizing the need for more offensive involvement from the veteran defenseman.
Berube’s Take: Rielly Needs to Activate More Offensively
Berube acknowledged that Rielly’s ability to move the puck remains strong but stressed the importance of him being more aggressive in the offensive zone.
“Moving pucks for sure – he is a good puck mover who sees the ice well – and activating as a defenseman,” Berube said via Maple Leafs Hot Stove. “In the offensive zone, again, it’s about activating when he can and being more aggressive on the offensive side of things.”
While Rielly has been a steady presence on the defensive end, his lack of offensive contributions has been evident. The Leafs are looking for him to rediscover the playmaking abilities that have defined his game in past seasons.
“On the other side of things, he hasn’t produced enough points as he has in the past. We are going to need that from him,” Berube added.
Rielly’s Offensive Decline: A Cause for Concern?
The numbers tell the story. Rielly’s best offensive season came in 2018-19, when he exploded for 72 points (20 goals, 52 assists), establishing himself as one of the NHL’s top offensive defensemen. Over the past four seasons, he’s maintained an assist-heavy game, averaging more than 30 assists per season. Last year, he recorded 51 assists, proving his ability to generate offense from the back end.
This season, however, the production has dipped, with just 18 assists and five goals through 52 games. The disparity in his performance when the Leafs win versus when they lose is staggering.
- In victories, Rielly has four goals, 17 assists, and a +12 rating
- In losses, that rating drops to -31, a troubling stat for Toronto’s top defenseman
The Pressure to Perform on a Contending Team
As the Maple Leafs sit second in the Atlantic Division (31-19-2), the need for improved play on both the power play (ranked 13th) and penalty kill (also ranked 13th) is evident. Given Rielly’s status as Toronto’s No. 1 defenseman, his ability to contribute in key moments will be essential if the Leafs hope to make a deep playoff run.
The 29-year-old was a first-round pick in 2012 and has played 843 career games, averaging over 22 minutes per night. His leadership and ability to log heavy minutes make him a cornerstone of the Leafs’ defensive core, but for a team looking to break through in the playoffs, they need the best version of Rielly on both ends of the ice.
Rielly’s Impact in Leafs’ Win Over Oilers
Despite his offensive struggles, Rielly still finds ways to contribute. In the Leafs’ 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, he tallied an assist on Bobby McMann’s power-play goal, helping Toronto snap a three-game losing streak.
The Leafs jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead, thanks to goals from William Nylander, Matthew Knies (power play), and McMann. Mitch Marner extended the lead to 4-1 early in the third, before the Oilers mounted a late comeback with goals from Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, and Corey Perry.
Toronto held on for the much-needed victory, backed by an incredible performance from Joseph Woll, who made 45 saves to secure the win.
What’s Next for Rielly?
With the regular season winding down and the playoffs on the horizon, Morgan Rielly must find a way to elevate his offensive game while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. The Leafs will need him to be the dynamic, puck-moving defenseman they’ve come to rely on if they want to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup.
As Craig Berube emphasized, being more aggressive and activating in the offensive zone could be the key to unlocking Rielly’s full potential. Whether he can turn things around in time for the playoffs remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Toronto needs more from their $60 million defenseman.
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