Morgan Rielly signed an eight-year $60 million dollar contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier today. Over those eight years, he will be paid an annual average of $7.5 million.
Eight. Mo. Years.#LeafForever
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 29, 2021
Morgan Rielly Signed To Long-Term Extension
Per Chris Johnston, Morgan Rielly’s new contract extension has a no-movement clause for the first six years. The final two years have a 10-team no-trade clause.
The native of Vancouver, BC was playing in the final year of a 6-year, $30 million contract he signed back in 2016. The 27-year old Morgan Rielly is the team’s longest-serving player.
Rielly was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs, 5th overall in the 2012 Entry Draft. Over his nine-year career, Rielly has played in 580 games and has amassed 59 goals and 309 points.
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, Kyle Dubas, wasted no time in getting the cornerstone of his defence locked in.
This signing completes locking up the core of this Leafs team with Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander all signed on till at least the 2023-24 season
Dubas clearly didn’t want to wait for Rielly to hit the open market or to have any questions hovering over his star defenceman’s head during this crucial season.
Moving Forward
The Leafs are right in the thick of their championship window. They have found immense regular-season success over the last few years but have failed to sustain that level of success in the playoffs.
During the Dubas era, the Leafs have failed to reach the second round of the playoffs. Excuses have been made as to why the Leafs can’t close out teams in the playoffs, and questions around the blueline have been one of them.
But locking in Rielly is a huge piece to solving this puzzle. Not only is their offensive upside to his game but Morgan also provides leadership to a dressing room full of young stars.
The Leafs have struggled to start the season. But Morgan Rielly has been a reliable constant on their blueline thus far.
Through this season, Rielly has four assists and is a plus-two in eight games.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
