Observations:

December 2013 – He has done just enough at the right time to warrant Nonis to keep him on the NHL squad for the time being, but hasn’t shone bright enough to stay in the lineup every night. He has been scratched nine times this season and his offence has been sporadic at best with 11 points in 30 games. He shows glimpses of his potential which is very exciting, but his negative 12 rating is a bit frightening but not unexpected. Nonis decided against sending him to juniors as he felt he is learning and building more of his game with the Maple Leafs. Personally I felt the World Juniors could act as a mental reset for him to have a strong second half and would allow Nonis to give minutes while ‘showcasing’ his extra players. Since his last scratching he has 13 shots in eight games with a pair of points (including his first NHL goal) and a much better negative one rating. He is also seeing regular 18-19 minute nights. With the Leafs working on his defensive game, I would like to see him take more charge on the power-play where he currently only has five points. In single season fantasy leagues he is a not worth owning unless he can turn around his production on the man advantage, as we managers will accept his defensive faults if he will produce for us. Jason Banks

September 2013 – Rielly has done just about everything he can do to find himself on the Leafs’ opening night roster. Despite only producing a single assist he has shown excellent poise and puck movement with good awareness for when to jump into the rush. At the Maple Leafs’ ‘State of Leaf Nation’ address held for fans last week, Dave Nonis stood at a podium and stated “If Rielly doesn’t play a meaningful role, we will send him back to junior.” He does not seem ready to inherit a meaningful role yet, nor does one seem to be available right now. He is likely destine for junior again, but may have pushed just enough for a longer look but unlikely the full nine games. Even if he makes the club, fantasy managers will need to wait two or three seasons before his production becomes worthy of being utilized. Jason Banks

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May 2013 – Since stepping in from junior, Reilly was thrust into some prime minutes in the AHL to see if he could hang with the big boys. His production was rather poorer than expected with only three points in 14 games in the AHL, but he did accumulate 40 shots on goal, most of which were on the main power-play unit with Jake Gardiner recalled and veteran Paul Ranger on the shelf with injury. He has not shown a ‘Wow’ factor yet, but shows a puck-nerve and vision level that can be compared to long time leaf Tomas Kaberle. In the playoffs he has be placed in a reduced role as expected just gaining valuable experience. In game one, he took a rather large open ice hit after dishing a pass and admiring it with his head down, but he quickly recovered from the bone rattling check. Unless the Leafs open room for him on their core he will find himself back in the WHL which would likely be a positive in not activating his entry level contract yet and allow him to work on being more responsible and polished in his own end. Jason Banks

February 2013 – Rielly was named WHL Player of the Week (ending February 17th) after scoring four goals and adding an assist for five points in three weekly games. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2012 5th overall selection, Rielly currently sits fourth in WHL defensive scoring with 44 points through 47 games. Brendan Ross

February 2013 – Morgan Rielly impressed Leafs’ brass in the short training camp after the lockout, but with a couple mature prospects that stood out, it was best for him to continue growing in Moose Jaw. Next year could again be murky for Rielly as he will get a long look in a regular camp, but he will still have junior eligibility. Jason Banks

December 2012 – Rielly was named to the Canada WJC team, as expected. He is as good an offense defenseman as there is in the junior ranks right now. Rich Dillon

November 2012 – Simply put, Morgan Rielly is a human highlight reel. He is one of the most explosive and talented players in the entire WHL this year. He has 21 points in 23 games so far and is showing no signs of slowing down. The Leafs have a real keeper on their hands. Zenon Herasymiuk

November 2012 – Rielly was a standout in game five of the Subway Super Series versus the National Russian junior team.  He showcased his fantastic mobility and elite hockey sense that has many projecting him as one of the top offensive prospect defensemen in the world. Brendan Ross

August 2012 – Quoted from Report Cards of Canada-Russia Challenge Article: The Leafs drafted a special player in Morgan Rielly. His mobility, vision, puck handling and playmaking are on the verge of eliteness. His positioning is solid and while he will continue to develop defensively, Rielly showed that he can be relied upon in all situations. Ryan Murphy was Canada’s offensive catalyst from the backend but Morgan Rielly was the better all-around defenseman and showed fantasy owners a few dazzling rushes and passes of his own. Brendan Ross

August 2012 – The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed their first round selection, fifth overall, in the 2012 draft to a three year entry level contract. Rielly is coming off an impressive development camp with Toronto where he exceeded the lofty expectations of even the Maple Leafs management. Morgan Rielly is slated to compete in the Canada -Russia Junior Challenge in August as the two nations commemorate the historic 1972 Summit Series. Brendan Ross

June 2012 – Brian Burke used the Leafs first round selection to draft Morgan Rielly 5th overall. Brendan Ross

March 2012 – Limited to just 18 games in 2011-12 with an ACL injury, Morgan Rielly did not disappoint. The offensive sparkplug tallied three goals and 15 assists as well as a plus-6 rating. Rielly is a strong skater who carries the puck with his head up looking to create for his teammates, though his size is just average and he does not play a particularly physical game. John Canario

Fantasy Outlook: A

Rielly has all the tools to be a power play quarterback at the NHL ranks and is earning regular minutes now.

Footage:

Scores his first NHL goal off the rush, cutting through the middle

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A play Leaf fans cant wait to see in the near future

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Morgan Rielly fights larger opponent Cole Grbavac

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Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

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