Craig Berube Reveals How Morgan Rielly Can Get Back Into Everyone's Good Graces

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Alexander Cole
February 4, 2025 (12:05)

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Toronto Maple Leafs head coach has had numerous conversations with defenseman Morgan Rielly as the team tries to get the alternate captain back on track this season.

Morgan Rielly has not been particularly good this season as he is having one of the worst offensive and defensive seasons of his entire career.

Craig Berube on Morgan Rielly

Head coach Craig Berube has had a few conversations with Rielly, including a one-on-one meeting that happened prior to the team's game against the Edmonton Oilers.

While speaking to the media, Berube explained what Rielly needs to do to get back to his old ways.

Essentially, he wants to see the defenseman move the puck around more. He also believes the plug-minus numbers don't tell the whole story of the season.

«Moving pucks for sure - he is a good puck mover who sees the ice well - and activating as a defenseman. In the offensive zone, again, it's about activating when he can and being more aggressive on the offensive side of things.

He has been battling defensively, and I know the plus/minus doesn't show it, but a lot of those are with the goalie out. He is battling harder in his own zone. He is playing in our defensive zone pretty well.

On the other side of things, he hasn't produced as many points as he has in the past. We are going to need that from him.»

Berube wants Rielly to know that being mentally tough is going to get him through this. He believes in the defenseman and isn't too worried about the man, moving forward.

«Anyone who looks at that stuff, whether it is your plus/minus or points, when you are a point producer, it wears on you for sure. He has to be mentally tough and keep fighting through it, which he is.

My conversations with him have been good. He is looking at everything. He is watching his shifts. He feels good. He is training. He is looking after himself. He is doing all the right things, and he is going to come out.»

Tonight will be a good test for Rielly as the Maple Leafs take on the Calgary Flames.

Fans will be expecting a good game from him and now is a great time to come through with an epic performance.

If the Maple Leafs pull off the win, that will make it two victories in a row on the season.

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FEVRIER 4 \| 262 ANSWERS Craig Berube Reveals How Morgan Rielly Can Get Back Into Everyone's Good Graces Do you believe Morgan Rielly can find his rhythm with the Toronto Maple Leafs again?
YES	176	67.2 %
NO	86	32.8 %
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