The most important factor of the Toronto Maple Leafs rebuild may be the development of third-year pro Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, a pair of defensemen expected to be key cogs of the club’s future if they can become more conscientious in their own end to fulfill their potential.
“They gave up some chances today. They both got to get much better with their stick defensively, but they’re both elite skaters, they’re guys who like to try.” head coach Mike Babcock said after the second day of Leafs training camp in Bedford, NS on Saturday. “I think we need to help them out. All in all….I believe we can make them a lot better, so that’s the process we are in.”
A fresh start under Babcock may be the last opportunity for Gardiner in Toronto, as the 25-year-old has tantalized three head coaches with his offensive skills and skating prowess, but also puzzled them with his inconsistency and defensive shortcomings.
The Minnesota native signed a five-year, $20.25 Million contract last summer after scoring a career-high 10 goals and 21 assists, but regressed last season with just four goals and the worst plus/minus rating (-23) of all Toronto defensemen.
Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner working on a defense-to-defense passing drill on Saturday.
Rielly was one of the few bright spots on a dreadful Maple Leafs club in his sophomore season, with eight goals and 21 assists. Toronto hopes that the 2012 fifth overall pick is ready to become one of the NHL’s top young blueliners.
“I feel like I’m ready to increase my role(on the blueline) and try to help this team.” Rielly said on Thursday. “I’m just worrying about playing good hockey and having a good training camp and ice time and all that other stuff will take care of itself.”
The 21-year-old is in the final year of his entry-level deal and could be in line for a big pay raise when he becomes a restricted free agent next summer. The Leafs have been restrained in giving out long-term contracts since Brendan Shanahan took over as Team President in April 2014.
Most of the players added this summer were signed to one-or-two year deals, but based on the recent trend in the league, it may be financially beneficial for Toronto to lock up Rielly to a long-term deal rather than a short-term bridge deal.
The Calgary Flames signed Dougie Hamilton to a seven-year, $34.5 Million contract and Dallas locked up rookie John Klingberg to a seven-year, $29.75 Million extension during the summer. Both players’ entry-level deals had expired and signed extensions that covered years when both would qualify for unrestricted free agency, but sacrificed potentially higher salary for long-term security.
On Saturday, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reported that Edmonton extended defenseman Oscar Klefbom for seven years. The 22-year-old Klefbom has played just 77 career NHL games and still has another year left on his entry-level deal.
Although Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello is not known for paying players who have not established themselves to big money contracts, Toronto may decide that being proactive and signing Rielly to a similar extension may the best course of action for their future.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Note : Continue to check back to my column on Hockeybuzz throughout the day for the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»