Morgan Rielly signs 3-year Entry Level Contract

[Kin]

Ahhhh thanks busta....Learn something new every day.....That being said, I can still see why it's better suited that he spend next year in junior(for him, and the junior team).

Yeah, Rielly is kind of a weird case though in that because he missed a year of junior there's a more compelling argument to leave him down. In the case of a guy like Yakupov though, who's had two very good junior seasons already, a better argument can be made that his team should have the option of the AHL.

 

[Redleaf]

Again, this all depends on what he shows the management at camp. If he turns on the jets and is too hard to leave behind, ala Gardiner last year, than they will certainly burn the year up to have him in the lineup. It's always fun to have a blue chip in the organization either way.

Well, the situation here is fairly different than it was with Gardiner. A year of his contract was going to be used up no matter what, since he was either going to be a Leaf or a Marlie. He was 3 years older than Rielly is now and wasn't coming off a season that was shortened because of a significant injury. Burke's said it before - he doesn't like to bring kids into the lineup when they're still junior eligible and, on top of that, he prefers to give them a season or two in the AHL. Rielly would have to be absolutely lights out, top pairing quality fantastic in camp to not be sent back.

I hear ya. I was just saying it wouldn't be impossible for him to make the team.

I wouldn't want a borderline decision made to start him with the big club, and possibly hinder his career in any way either. He would have to clearly be in the top 4 to make it with the Leafs, otherwise send him down for experience.

Long shot, yeah. Impossible, not necessarily. We need more pleasant surprises like Gardiner to keep us excited about the future.  ;D

EDIT:

I have no problems carrying around the Leafs flag of optimism during these troubling times. There's really been nobody to do it since nutman flipped the switch and descended into his deathly hallows of free agency despair.

Someone needs to stay positive!

This team is getting better!!!

** runs away**

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Ahhhh thanks busta....Learn something new every day.....That being said, I can still see why it's better suited that he spend next year in junior(for him, and the junior team).

Yeah, Rielly is kind of a weird case though in that because he missed a year of junior there's a more compelling argument to leave him down. In the case of a guy like Yakupov though, who's had two very good junior seasons already, a better argument can be made that his team should have the option of the AHL.

True enough.

 

[nutman]

Again, this all depends on what he shows the management at camp. If he turns on the jets and is too hard to leave behind, ala Gardiner last year, than they will certainly burn the year up to have him in the lineup. It's always fun to have a blue chip in the organization either way.

Well, the situation here is fairly different than it was with Gardiner. A year of his contract was going to be used up no matter what, since he was either going to be a Leaf or a Marlie. He was 3 years older than Rielly is now and wasn't coming off a season that was shortened because of a significant injury. Burke's said it before - he doesn't like to bring kids into the lineup when they're still junior eligible and, on top of that, he prefers to give them a season or two in the AHL. Rielly would have to be absolutely lights out, top pairing quality fantastic in camp to not be sent back.

I hear ya. I was just saying it wouldn't be impossible for him to make the team.

I wouldn't want a borderline decision made to start him with the big club, and possibly hinder his career in any way either. He would have to clearly be in the top 4 to make it with the Leafs, otherwise send him down for experience.

Long shot, yeah. Impossible, not necessarily. We need more pleasant surprises like Gardiner to keep us excited about the future.  ;D

EDIT:

I have no problems carrying around the Leafs flag of optimism during these troubling times. There's really been nobody to do it since nutman flipped the switch and descended into his deathly hollows of free agency despair.

Someone needs to stay positive!

This team is getting better!!!

** runs away**

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

 

[Champ Kind]

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

Nutman, I will bet you a double-double Lombardi is not the answer you're looking for.

 

[nutman]

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

Nutman, I will bet you a double-double Lombardi is not the answer you're looking for.

I am saying he will be a suprise not a super star.  no he wont be the answer we are all looking for, but he will be what he was and that is a very good player. this team is on the upswing no matter what you downers say. Carlyle will tighten up our defence, in my opinion the weakest part of this team. as for offence I think we are fine. and in goal I am a big fan of Reimer.

 

[Champ Kind]

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

Nutman, I will bet you a double-double Lombardi is not the answer you're looking for.

I am saying he will be a suprise not a super star.  no he wont be the answer we are all looking for, but he will be what he was and that is a very good player. this team is on the upswing no matter what you downers say. Carlyle will tighten up our defence, in my opinion the weakest part of this team. as for offence I think we are fine. and in goal I am a big fan of Reimer.

It's not a question of being a downer.  My guess is that Lombardi isn't on this team by Christmas.  Realistically, the way the roster is shaping up, the 2012/13 season is likely one of player development.  I HOPE the sow's ear turns into silk, but I think the emphasis this year will be on player development.  And if that's the case, why would the team give a big role to a 30'ish player, coming off a fairly horrible year and injury, who's making $3.5 million, to play thrid line minutes?  Would giving Colborne this role make much, much more sense?

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

Nutman, I will bet you a double-double Lombardi is not the answer you're looking for.

I am saying he will be a suprise not a super star.  no he wont be the answer we are all looking for, but he will be what he was and that is a very good player. this team is on the upswing no matter what you downers say. Carlyle will tighten up our defence, in my opinion the weakest part of this team. as for offence I think we are fine. and in goal I am a big fan of Reimer.

It's not a question of being a downer.  My guess is that Lombardi isn't on this team by Christmas.  Realistically, the way the roster is shaping up, the 2012/13 season is likely one of player development.  I HOPE the sow's ear turns into silk, but I think the emphasis this year will be on player development.  And if that's the case, why would the team give a big role to a 30'ish player, coming off a fairly horrible year and injury, who's making $3.5 million, to play thrid line minutes?  Would giving Colborne this role make much, much more sense?

Not to get involved in this silly conversation...

But there's many factors that can contribute to Lombardi's and for that matter, Colborne's roll with the team this upcoming season.

Does Colborne grow a set and start using his size and shot like he should?

Does Lombardi get over that his career almost ended and start playing without fear?

 

[leafplasma]

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

Nutman, I will bet you a double-double Lombardi is not the answer you're looking for.

I am saying he will be a suprise not a super star.  no he wont be the answer we are all looking for, but he will be what he was and that is a very good player. this team is on the upswing no matter what you downers say. Carlyle will tighten up our defence, in my opinion the weakest part of this team. as for offence I think we are fine. and in goal I am a big fan of Reimer.

It's not a question of being a downer.  My guess is that Lombardi isn't on this team by Christmas.  Realistically, the way the roster is shaping up, the 2012/13 season is likely one of player development.  I HOPE the sow's ear turns into silk, but I think the emphasis this year will be on player development.  And if that's the case, why would the team give a big role to a 30'ish player, coming off a fairly horrible year and injury, who's making $3.5 million, to play thrid line minutes?  Would giving Colborne this role make much, much more sense?

No brainer and with no drop in production albeit his rookie season.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

Nutman, I will bet you a double-double Lombardi is not the answer you're looking for.

I am saying he will be a suprise not a super star.  no he wont be the answer we are all looking for, but he will be what he was and that is a very good player. this team is on the upswing no matter what you downers say. Carlyle will tighten up our defence, in my opinion the weakest part of this team. as for offence I think we are fine. and in goal I am a big fan of Reimer.

It's not a question of being a downer.  My guess is that Lombardi isn't on this team by Christmas.  Realistically, the way the roster is shaping up, the 2012/13 season is likely one of player development.  I HOPE the sow's ear turns into silk, but I think the emphasis this year will be on player development.  And if that's the case, why would the team give a big role to a 30'ish player, coming off a fairly horrible year and injury, who's making $3.5 million, to play thrid line minutes?  Would giving Colborne this role make much, much more sense?

No brainer and with no drop in production albeit his rookie season.

Like I said, not necessarily. It would be to the Leafs greatest advantage to have Colborne show up at camp and kick some a$$. But who knows if that will happen.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I think Colborne should have this role more than Lombardi, who is nearing retirement while Colborne is a young player.

Lombardi is 30 years old. Not quite the retiring age yet.

And Colborne will have his spot on the team...when he earns it.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Not to worry I am just taking a summer break, I believe we are growing into a team we will all enjoy. I think the best move we could have made was done near the end of the season, and that was the coaching change. my player to watch is  ML. I think he awes us all this season.

Nutman, I will bet you a double-double Lombardi is not the answer you're looking for.

I am saying he will be a suprise not a super star.  no he wont be the answer we are all looking for, but he will be what he was and that is a very good player. this team is on the upswing no matter what you downers say. Carlyle will tighten up our defence, in my opinion the weakest part of this team. as for offence I think we are fine. and in goal I am a big fan of Reimer.

It's not a question of being a downer.  My guess is that Lombardi isn't on this team by Christmas.  Realistically, the way the roster is shaping up, the 2012/13 season is likely one of player development.  I HOPE the sow's ear turns into silk, but I think the emphasis this year will be on player development.  And if that's the case, why would the team give a big role to a 30'ish player, coming off a fairly horrible year and injury, who's making $3.5 million, to play thrid line minutes?  Would giving Colborne this role make much, much more sense?

Not to get involved in this silly conversation...

But there's many factors that can contribute to Lombardi's and for that matter, Colborne's roll with the team this upcoming season.

Does Colborne grow a set and start using his size and shot like he should?

Does Lombardi get over that his career almost ended and start playing without fear?

Lombardi showed flashes of why he was offered $3.5 MIL on a cash strapped team:

Goal against Edmonton as a speedster with soft hands -
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAoPhQh7EUM [/youtube]

Goal against Montreal as a speedster with soft hands -
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yFqQwzAPLQ[/youtube]

Ofcourse he did shoot the puck into the goalies on a number of times after getting into great scoring positions which I hope he conquers.  If he still has problem finishing a lot of his chances this year then I could see him removed.

He is probably the fastest skater on the team as well...with all due respect to Kessel, Gardiner and Brown.

 

[Champ Kind]

Hopefully OldTimeHockey will somehow find it to forgive me for furthering this "silly" discussion, but I'm in agreement that Lombardi can be a useful player.  My initial reaction was to the bolder-than-bold statement that Leaf fans will be in "awe" of Lombardi's play this year, which Nutman subsequently moderated to "surprise".  I can buy that, and as the Bulldog's videos show, he can definitely contribute.  But let's keep in mind that Lombardi, while useful, has topped out as a 53 point player and, previous to that, hit 20 goals once and 40 points twice.

Bottom line: Lombardi is a nice 3'rd line / low 2'nd line player but irrelevant to the 12/13 Leafs.  He'd look pretty good with someone like Detroit as a replacement for Hudler. 

 

[riff raff]

Back to the topic at hand...Rielly is playing in the Canada-Russia challenge (right now on TSN2). He wears #5.

 

[Bender]

Back to the topic at hand...Rielly is playing in the Canada-Russia challenge (right now on TSN2). He wears #5.

How's he looking?

 

[riff raff]

Back to the topic at hand...Rielly is playing in the Canada-Russia challenge (right now on TSN2). He wears #5.

How's he looking?

He's a handsome boy 

He got an assist, but I can't say he stood out particularly (good or bad, for that matter).

 

[Bender]

Rielly with a goal today in the Can-Rus game. Good stuff.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I haven't been able to watch much of it, but from what I've read from people on twitter Rielly has been impressive in the series.

 

[riff raff]

He had a beautiful setup in tonight's loss.

2 assists in total tonight.

 

[Beowulf]

I only saw the first period, but he struck me as being really good positionally on d (not a physical guy by any means), having a high level of awareness in terms of where his teammates were and being very poised with the puck.