If the Leafs can keep Rielly at a reasonable contract, we have to keep him. The contract extension is the big question mark.
He's going to make atleast $7 mil AAV and I just don't feel like that is a smart investment on a player that is probably not going to be essential for us. Mo has been a monster and arguably the backbone of this rebuild and helping bring the kids along but his defensive play and the amount of time he leaves his d-partners out to dry negates his offensive productivity. His play 2 seasons ago was stellar and he was a massive difference-maker for this team, however, since that season, he's consistently declined. Not sure if he's injured or his body is just slowing down and he's no longer skating as well as he used to or making the decisions he used to make as quickly as used to.
I like to compare us losing Rielly similar to the Raptors losing DeRozan. Both Rielly and DeRozan were focal points of the teams and at times the only reason why people had any hope for the Raptors and the Leafs. But unfortunately, their playing style and our dependence on them is out the shortfall. We can't use their skillsets to make our team better because their skillset isn't suitable for our needs. We need a 1C/ top pairing with players that are very good 2 way guys who can chip in offensively without being a liability on the backend. We have 2 very good players in Sandin and Brodie who can make up that top pair and each guy has the ability to chip in offense and carry the play up the ice without sacrificing their positioning or defense. That long term gives us a better chance for success IMO than to have a pure offensive guy like Rielly who has slowly become a defensive issue.
Sandin - Brodie --> Defensively sound, offensively creative/ able pairing that can eat up monster minutes. Can play PP/PK.
Muzz - Lilly --> Shutdown pair of reliable D-men who can play all situations and provide us with the grit and physicality we need. Can eat the 2nd most minutes. Can play PK.
Dermott - Holl --> Ideal pairing for Holl IMO because it's easier matchups and we can start both of them more in the O-zone. Soft minutes, less liability. Can fill in on the first 2 pairings short term. Can play PK.
Bogo --> Big rough tough guy who we can slot in against tougher opponents.