TORONTO – Morgan Rielly took an extended look within the mirror over the summer season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman entered final season’s coaching camp feeling good. Things then began properly when the puck dropped. The numbers had been there. Rielly thought he was in a great place.
Something occurred. He isn’t certain what precisely.
The membership’s No. 1 defenceman — and his US$7.5-million wage cap hit by means of 2029-30 — scored simply as soon as in 40 video games between Nov. 8 and Feb. 6 earlier than going the ultimate 24 contests of the regular-season schedule with out discovering the again of the online.
“My recreation dropped,” Rielly mentioned within the sunshine Thursday outdoors Toronto’s observe facility. “I take a number of pleasure in my profession, and I used to be actually disillusioned in myself. That’s a tough factor to confess and exhausting factor to return to.”
The 31-year-old from North Vancouver, B.C., who completed with seven objectives and 34 assists for 41 factors throughout 82 video games, had a “actual sincere chat” with Leafs common supervisor Brad Treliving after the playoffs earlier than having a string of heart-to-heart conversations.
“Numerous reflection,” Rielly mentioned.
That discourse included spouse Tessa Virtue, a three-time Olympic determine skating champion who’s keenly conscious of high-pressure conditions.
“Wonderful useful resource,” mentioned Rielly, identified to maintain feedback about his personal life to a minimal. “And I leaned on it.”
In brief, he needed to do all the things in his energy to bounce again.
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“It’s not simply coaching exhausting in the summertime,” mentioned the blueliner, who put up 68 factors in 2021-22 and one other 58 in 2023-24. “For me, it’s going to be a big-picture factor. I took this low season as step one in being as dialed as I could possibly be in each facet.
“And actually committing to that.”
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Rielly’s teammates have observed. Most of the group has been skating collectively since mid-August earlier than coaching camp opened this week.
Leafs ahead Nicolas Roy — acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights within the sign-and-trade deal that formally ended star winger Mitch Marner’s tenure in Toronto — mentioned Rielly was “buzzing” through the casual periods, whereas goaltender Anthony Stolarz was equally impressed.
“The greatest factor for him goes on the market and taking part in freely,” mentioned the netminder. “His expertise, his mindset is simply excellent for this market.”
“Looks unbelievable,” added centre Scott Laughton, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers forward of final season’s commerce deadline. “I really like that man … one among my favorite teammates I’ve ever performed with.”
Rielly, who did have seven factors in 13 playoff video games earlier than the Leafs had been ousted by the Florida Panthers within the second spherical, didn’t enterprise removed from his consolation zone making ready for what’s hoped shall be a powerful response in 2025-26.
“It was a extra holistic dedication to all the things,” he mentioned. “Exploring new areas that I hadn’t or that I’ve earlier than, however taking it to the following stage, whether or not that’s weight-reduction plan or that’s psychological preparation.
“I needed to double down on myself and my profession.”
Rielly and Virtue grew to become mother and father after they welcomed son McCormick in July 2024. Fatherhood provided new perspective, however was additionally an adjustment.
“There’s an underlying half there that I feel I struggled with final 12 months a bit bit, and it’s a piece in progress,” Rielly mentioned. “It’s the best factor that’s ever occurred to me, however when folks say it adjustments your perspective on all the things, they don’t inform you how.
“Everyone feels it otherwise. I’m at some extent now the place I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”
He desires to really feel equally about what occurs on the ice.
“I simply fully dedicated to doing all the things I may,” Rielly mentioned. “I attempted to take it as much as that subsequent stage.
“There’s no stone unturned.”
FIRST CRACK
Matias Maccelli acquired a primary crack at Marner’s previous spot on the best aspect of Toronto’s prime line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Finn, who was acquired from the Utah Mammoth, had 57 factors (17 objectives, 40 assists) in 82 video games in 2023-24 with Arizona.
“Focus on constructing some chemistry and hold going,” mentioned Maccelli, who acquired the preliminary look with Max Domi nursing a lower-body damage.
DOTTED LINE
Stolarz’s agent and Treliving proceed to barter a contract extension for the large netminder with unrestricted free company looming subsequent summer season.
The 31-year-old wish to get a deal performed earlier than the 2025-26 marketing campaign will get going.
“Our final purpose is to win the Stanley Cup,” Stolarz mentioned. “Once the season begins, it’s all I need to deal with.”
The Edison, N.J., product, who put up a career-high .926 save share in his first Toronto marketing campaign splitting crease time with Joseph Woll, is snug in hockey’s greatest media market.
“I’m only a laid-back man,” Stolarz mentioned. “I sort of have a look at it as I’m taking part in in the very best males’s league on this planet.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Sept. 18, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
