When the Maple Leafs have been completely healthy on defence, Morgan Rielly has been the odd man out every single time. But as a rookie who didn’t know until he played roughly seven or eight games that he was sticking around, you won’t find him complaining. “I knew I wouldn’t play all 82 games this year” says Rielly, before mentioning that coach Randy Carlyle is an excellent communicator. “He makes it pretty clear who has been playing well and who needs to improve. I really can’t ask for too much more than I have already gotten.”
When Rielly was seeing a lot of action in October, Carlyle threw cold water on the idea of sitting his young blueliner for an extended amount of time. But with Mark Fraser getting ready to return to the lineup, the 19-year-old could once again be a healthy scratch. While practicing with the pros might be better for his development than dominating juniors, he needs to play as well. And if he’s constantly put in the seven spot when everyone is healthy, that’s not going to happen. So perhaps the idea of releasing Rielly to Canada’s world junior squad should be explored? “Any chance you get to play for your country, it’s a great honour,” he says. “But I play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I’m not too worried about what may happen at Christmastime.”
—For all the criticism Phil Kessel gets, he’s become something of an ironman, not missing a game since returning from injury in November 2009. The concern now for Kessel is his ice time—for the first time since he became a Leaf he played under 16 minutes in three consecutive games. While he has been dealing with a flu, he’s also been taping up his wrist. When asked about the tape following his two-goal performance against the Islanders Tuesday, Kessel simply said he didn’t want to talk about it. It’s something to keep an eye on.
—On Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Leafs GM Dave Nonis noted that Dion Phaneuf’s development into his role as captain has made the team want to lock up the defenceman, should Phaneuf want to stay. He indicated during the summer that it was his intention to stay, making a deal imminent. It just comes down to agreeing on money and term.
—For the first time in his career, Cody Franson has been averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time. While he has 12 points this season, he’s gone an alarming 22 games without a goal. He’s got a great shot and needs to utilize it.
—The Leafs penalty kill has been brutal lately, giving up eight goals while a man down in their past eight games. The Leafs were a top-five team the PK department prior to November, they’ve since sunk to 15th. That has to change fast.
—There is something about the third period and weird goals for Jonathan Bernier. On Thursday, Bernier dealt with another strange one when a Craig Smith shot went off the top of his glove, the puck then flew high before bouncing off Bernier’s shoulder and into the net. It’s inexplicable, but it seems only to be happening to Bernier at Air Canada Centre.
—It’s a shame we may have seen the last of Peter Holland for a while. He scored his first goal Thursday and the sheer excitement that has been on his face is infectious. With Tyler Bozak getting ready to return, there doesn’t appear to be room for him up the middle. It’s an easy move to make to send him down. Playing him as a fourth-liner won’t be an effective spot for him.