#morgan-rielly

#morgan-rielly

One of the biggest stars of the series for the Maple Leafs, Morgan Rielly addressed the media after his team's first-round series victory over Tampa Bay.As the longest-serving Leaf, can you describe the emotions you're feeling?Where does relief rank in those emotions?Rielly: It is up there for sure.

The Maple Leafs are looking to follow up a solid team victory in Florida with a second win over Carolina in the span of a week tonight in Raleigh (7:00 p.m. EST, Sportsnet).Head to Head: Hurricanes vs. Maple Leafs
In the season-to-date statistics, the Leafs hold the advantage over the Hurricanes in three out of five offensive categories, but the Hurricanes hold the advantage over the Leafs in four out of five defensive categories.

Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers.On the difference in the series:
For me, we lose the series in the first three games.In Game 4, I thought we played very well.I thought we played well enough to win the game today, but in the first three games, we were in simpler positions than we were in Games 4 and 5, but we didn't handle those situations well and didn't capitalize on our chances.

I watch a lot of Maple Leafs games.I wince when things go bad, when a defenceman fails due to his own weakness or a momentary error.No one points a camera at me when that happens, though.For Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe they get to react for the world to see.I'm not saying I feel sorry for them, that's part of their job, but they aren't robots, so the emotions of those moments - and the more sober consideration of them - is going to have an effect.

Kyle Dubas continued to wheel and deal on Tuesday afternoon, recouping a (very late) first-round pick in 2023 (via Boston) and adding veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson from Washington in exchange for Rasmus Sandin.A 30-year-old left-hander, Gustafsson is a highly mobile, puck-moving defenseman with a heavy shot who is currently top 20 in the NHL in points among defensemen with 38 in 61 games and is 12th among NHL defensemen in five-on-five points with 23 in 61 games.

David Alter has good news from the Maple Leafs morning skate.Morgan Rielly is on the road trip, and was skating today with Mac Hollowell (called up on emergency basis) and Rasmus Sandin (on IR, the cause of the emergency).Later Sheldon Keefe told reporters that Both his injured defenders are day-to-day.

Well, the point streaks had to end eventually, right?Former Leaf Jimmy Vesey scored twice as the Rangers upended the Leafs 3-1 to snap Toronto's 15-game point streak.On top of that, Mitch Marner failed to register a point as well, which marked the end of his impeccable 23 game run.Speaking of which, we have another point streak to watch closely now as Michael Bunting scored to extend his to 10 games.

At the Maple Leafs' end-of-season media availability, Morgan Rielly discussed the team's disappointing end to the playoffs, Kyle Dubas' expiring contract, and his abiding belief in the core group.What were the last few days like as you were processing the end result?Rielly: Not where you want to be, so you spend time thinking and process things.

The Canucks "we're not looking to trade Bo Horvat" t-shirt has people asking a lot of questions already answered by their shirt...That certainly has all the signs of a player being available for trade and while Horvat will not be cheap to acquire and he most definitely will be expensive to retain beyond this season, Horvat is an intriguing option for the Leafs as well as pretty much any other playoff bound team this season.

It's that time of the year again.The Holiday Roster Freeze is almost here.I love the Holiday Roster Freeze because the CBA capitalizes it, which makes it seem like a serious thing, but it doesn't really freeze anything, only covers half the holiday season and is more properly called a trade freeze, since no one's roster is really frozen.

Happy Monday, what's good?So much to talk about from the weekend.Coming off a 4-3 loss in Boston on Saturday, there was plenty to catch up on for the Monday edition of Leafs Morning Take.Despite the loss, I thought the Leafs played relatively well; I loved the playoff feel to the game.At the end of the day, ultimately, some lethal turnovers did them in.

Good morning and welcome to the Tuesday edition of From The Branches.I will be your guide today; please follow me.After a couple of wins and an off-day the Leafs should be back in action to prepare for the next game against Nashville.That one runs Wednesday at 7:30 PM, and is the first of another back-to-back for the Leafs.

The Leafs playing one of their worst games of the year was certainly softened by Team Canada picking up gold in the World Juniors tournament.If you hadn't switched over to primarily watching the gold medal game by the time the third period rolled around in the Leafs game, I don't know what to tell you.

Good morning!The Leafs lost their first game of 2023 last night to the Blues, 6-5 in Overtime.It was a trap game that the Leafs lost.It was a much less fun game than a 10-goal game should rightfully be.The Leafs haven't beaten the Blues in Toronto since 2016.What else is new?Elseldo's got the recap for you here:
Although the game was pretty lacklustre from the Leafs, a few players' efforts did stand out - in particular Michael Bunting's two goal night.

After a four-day holiday break, the Leafs are in St. Louis tonight to tangle with the Blues for the first of three on the road to finish off 2022.Food coma et all, it was nice to get back in the saddle for the Tuesday edition of Leafs Morning Take.While us normal folk can chill out on the couch and recover from all the festivities the past few days, the NHL is back in full bore tonight with 11 games.

After practice on Wednesday, head coach Sheldon Keefe discussed Morgan Rielly's imminent return to the lineup, Dryden Hunt entering the lineup for his first game as a Leaf, and the fine he was issued for his criticism of the officials during Tuesday's win over St. Louis.Practice Lines - December 28

#Leafs lines at practice Dec. 28/22
Bunting-Matthews-NylanderJarnkrok-Tavares-MarnerKerfoot-Kampf-EngvallAstonReese-Holmberg-Hunt Extra: Anderson, Simmonds
Giordano-HollRielly-LiljegrenBrodie-TimminsSandin-Benn
MurraySamsonov@BodogCA @RinkWideTOR
- David Alter (@dalter) December 28, 2022

What kind of boost does it give to the group to have Morgan Rielly on the ice and nearing a return?