By Alex Hobson
He hadn't known it yet, but heading into the 2015 NHL Draft, this would be Brian Burke's last draft as GM of the Leafs. Burke was not neccesarily known for his drafting ability with the Leafs, shown when he traded two picks to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 22nd overall pick in the 2011 draft, which they used to select Tyler Biggs. Biggs would have trouble appearing in the AHL and would eventially be traded to Pittsburgh in the Kessel trade. Those picks traded ended up being Rickard Rakell and John Gibson, both players who appear frequently on the Ducks roster. But this draft pick would end up being a great selection. The Leafs used their 5th overall pick to select defenseman Morgan Rielly of the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Leafs have extremely high hopes for this young d-man, but why? Let's find out.
Rielly was overcoming a knee injury in his final season with the Warriors, but that didn't stop him from putting up points. The Leafs decided to take the chance on him after he put up an 18 game, 18 point season. He appeared in his first season with the Leafs in 2013-14, putting up a solid 27 points in 73 games. In his most recent season, he recorded 29 points in 81 games, usually playing alongside someone along the lines of Roman Polak or Stephane Robidas. This season, Rielly could look to earn himself top pairing time under new head coach Mike Babcock, and look to further develop his defensive game.
STATUS: UNTOUCHABLE
This is the first time i've given a status like this to a player on the Leafs, but considering the Leafs are in a rebuild, no one is really safe, except Rielly. He shows tons of promise and in a few years, when given a decent partner and more minutes, there's no reason why he shouldn't be a top caliber defenseman in the NHL.
2015-16 ROLE: TOP PAIRING DEFENSEMAN
This year could be the year Rielly is exposed to more ice time. He could look to play alongside someone like Jake Gardiner or Dion Phaneuf, and get a chance to put up more points. That being said, Rielly isn't a lock for the top pairing and come training camp, the Leafs coaching staff will do what's best for Rielly.
What do you think of Rielly, Leafs fans? Should he be untouchable? Weigh in below.
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