Reilly To The Wing

[cw]

Everybody laughs at these ideas

Because it?s never happened. The only example I can think of that has happened over the last 50 years is Byfuglien, and even then he ended up going back to defence.

It?s just such a dumb discussion point because it just never, ever happens. No NHL player has gone 11 years into their career and then will just switch positions. I?m sorry to be harsh but this is just a stupid topic.

Wendel Clark was drafted as a dman and converted after.
Red Kelly was the first winner of the Norris Trophy with Detroit. He played 13 seasons as a dman for the Wings winning 4 Cups. Imlach converted him to center when he arrived in Toronto where he won 4 more Cups as a center. Different era. Forecasted skills assessments are better today.

So it is not without precedent. BUT

I thought Rielly had a great 2022-23 playoff. Wouldn't it be easier to attempt to rejuvenate that than trying to break someone else in at the position (rhetorical question)? Benoit would become the only Leafs dman contracted beyond next season on a team missing a bunch of draft picks. The Matthews era Cup run needs dmen now.

 

[Bender]

Idle offseason talk... If the idea is to turn Rielly into a forward I'd suggest going the trade route.

Yup. You know you're in the doldrums when...

 

[Peter D.]

We'd be moving our best defenceman -- based on the current composition of the team -- to play what...wing on the 3rd line?  Leaving a huge gaping hole on a blueline that already has its shortcomings as it is.

It's not the craziest idea, but one that isn't feasible, nor likely to be of much success.