Maple Leafs Reveal New Defensive Pairings Ahead of Season Without Morgan Rielly
It appears as though the Toronto Maple Leafs may be without Morgan Rielly for an extended period of time as the defenseman is set to have an in-person hearing for his cross check on Ridley Greig tomorrow. Now the team is preparing to play without him.
Toronto Maple Leafs Reveal New Defense Pairings At Practice Without Rielly
While the defenseman has technically not been suspended yet, the team has begun to practice without him in anticipation that they will be without him for an extended period of time.
Brodie-Liljegren
Benoit-McCabe
Giordano-Lagesson
As their defence pairs without Rielly.
@BodogCA
His in-person hearing tomorrow could mean that he gets a suspension larger than five games. With just 32 games left on the schedule, it appears as though Rielly will be missing a significant chunk of the remainder of the season.
Leafs Get Veteran Defenseman Back From Injury
Luckily, the Leafs did get some good news on the defense front today. 40-year-old blueliner Mark Giordano returned to practice with the rest of his teammates after he missed his last game with an undisclosed lower-body injury. Giordano won't be able to replace Rielly in terms of production at this point in his career, but his return does mean the team will not be forced to rely on their 8th or 9th defenseman in upcoming games.
@TSN_Edge
Giordano has a goal and 6 points this season in 34 games. Rielly meanwhile has seven goals and 43 points in 50 games as he has continued to man the top powerplay unit for the team. According to Daily Faceoff, Jake McCabe is set to run the top unit with Rielly out and Timothy Liljegren is running the second unit.
As seen on Maple Leafs reveal projected pairings in preparation for life without Morgan Rielly
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Do you think Rielly's suspension will force the Leafs to trade for a defenseman? | ||
| Yes | 570 | 47.9 % |
| No | 621 | 52.1 % |
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