The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Forward Dilemma
With the NHL trade deadline just around the corner, the Toronto Maple Leafs are once again on the hunt for a forward to bolster their lineup and take some pressure off their top scorers. Names like Brayden Schenn, Brock Nelson, and Dylan Cozens have been floating around in trade discussions, but they come with a hefty price tag that GM Brad Treliving might be hesitant to pay. The Leafs have a deep roster, but a closer look at their depth chart reveals a potential solution that has been overlooked: Morgan Rielly, the team’s longest-tenured player and a former 20-goal scorer, could be the answer by moving from defense to forward.
Morgan Rielly: A Star in Need of a Spark
Morgan Rielly, drafted fifth overall by the Leafs in 2012, has been a cornerstone of the team for over a decade. However, this season has been a struggle for the 30-year-old defenseman. Despite his recent uptick in scoring with six points in his last three games, Rielly has only 32 points in 60 games, scoring at his seventh-highest career pace per 60 minutes. Coach Craig Berube’s structured and defensive-focused system has limited Rielly’s offensive creativity, and the team’s need for more production from their highest-paid defenseman is evident. Moving Rielly to forward could be the perfect solution to reignite his game and provide the offensive boost the Leafs desperately need.
Historical Precedents: Defensemen Turned Forwards
The idea of moving a defenseman to forward might seem far-fetched, but it’s not without precedent. The NHL has seen several successful examples of defensemen transitioning to forward roles. Brent Burns, originally drafted as a winger by the Minnesota Wild, found success as a power winger with the San Jose Sharks, scoring 22 goals and 48 points in 69 games during the 2013-14 season. Similarly, Dustin Byfuglien, known for his offensive prowess on the blueline, was moved up front by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009-10, where he contributed 11 goals in 22 playoff games, helping the team win the Stanley Cup. While these transitions were short-lived, they demonstrated the potential for offensive defensemen to thrive in forward roles.
The Leafs’ Own Success Stories
The Toronto Maple Leafs have their own history of successfully converting defensemen to forwards. In 1959-60, the team acquired Red Kelly, a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman from the Detroit Red Wings, and immediately used him as a center. Kelly broke the 20-goal mark in each of his first three full seasons with the Leafs and was a key player in their three consecutive Stanley Cup wins from 1962 to 1964. More recently, the Leafs drafted Wendel Clark as a high-scoring defenseman in the WHL and transformed him into a hard-hitting, scoring winger. These historical examples provide a blueprint for the Leafs to consider a similar move with Rielly.
Rielly’s Offensive Potential
Morgan Rielly’s offensive capabilities are well-documented. Since 2021-22, when shot-location data became available, Rielly has scored only one goal from the point, with the remaining 27 coming from inside and around the circles, including 11 from in front of the net. At 225 pounds, Rielly possesses a combination of size and speed that places him in the 69th percentile for top skating speed in the league. His puck-moving skills, honed over years as a defenseman, would make him a formidable presence around the net and on the perimeter. The potential for Rielly to become a scoring power-forward is too significant for the Leafs to ignore.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Experiment
While Rielly has never played forward in the NHL, the risk of this move is minimal. If it doesn’t work out, the Leafs can easily move him back to defense. The best-case scenario, however, is a reinvigorated Rielly who can provide much-needed scoring depth and a resurgence in his game. With the trade deadline approaching, the Leafs have a unique opportunity to test this idea without giving up valuable assets like first-round picks and prospects. A trial run of Rielly up front could be the spark the team needs to solidify their position as a top contender heading into the post-season.
