NHL

Film Room: Morgan Rielly's defensive deficiencies shouldn't overshadow his importance to the Maple Leafs

When you look back on the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs knocked it out of the park by selecting Morgan Rielly at fifth overall. 

Rielly was a wildcard heading into the 2012 Draft because he missed almost his entire draft year with a torn ACL. His offensive talent and instincts were undeniable, as was his skating and puck control in the offensive zone. The only real question marks were his defensive play and whether or not there would be any lingering effects from the surgery. 

Based on Rielly's NHL career, there haven't been.

Nearly ten years after that draft was held, Rielly ranks second overall in games played by a player drafted that year (second only to fellow teammate Alex Galchenyuk). Rielly also ranks fifth overall in scoring by a player drafted in 2012 and is the highest-scoring defenceman of his draft class. 

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This article is about:
NHL Scouting Reports Toronto Maple Leafs NHL T.J. Brodie Ron Hainsey Mitchell Marner Auston Matthews Morgan Rielly Sheldon Keefe
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