Morgan Rielly Exhibits Exciting New Habit in Pre-Season Debut With Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly was recently re-added to the team's top power play unit, replacing Mitch Marner, and now he seems to have more of a shooter's mentality.
In the absence of Mitch Marner, who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this summer, Morgan Rielly has found himself with a substantial opportunity, quarterbacking the Leafs' top power play unit once again.
Rielly had held this position earlier in his career, but over the last couple of seasons, the Leafs had been attempting to move away from playing him there, as he did not typically present any sort of a legitimate shooting threat from up high.
Morgan Rielly Embracing a Shooter's Mentality in Return to the Leafs' Top Power Play Unit
Well, that was then, and this is now. Rielly has come to training camp in incredible shape, and he appears to be taking the top PP unit quarterback role a lot more seriously now, actually showing more of a willingness to shoot the puck.
Morgan Rielly's Willingness to Shoot the Puck More May Cause Problems For Opposing Teams
If Rielly does opt to begin shooting the puck more from the blueline on the power play, it will force the opposition to have to defend more potential shooters. Obviously, this will tire out the opposing penalty killers a lot more, and could result in more scoring chances.
Auston Matthews remains the team's biggest scoring threat on that unit, followed closely by John Tavares at the top of the blue paint, and William Nylander on the opposite flank. It's early yet, but Rielly's willingness to shoot the puck could be a game-changer in Toronto.
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