Former Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke Makes Staggering Comments About Morgan Rielly
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has been struggling mightily all season long, however, he has the support of Brian Burke.
Morgan Rielly was the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and it was Brian Burke who selected him in that spot for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Morgan Rielly defended by Brian Burke
Since that time, Rielly has become the team's franchise number-one defenseman, for better or for worse.
During a conversation with Jeff Marek, Burke spoke about selecting Rielly and how at the time, the general manager was convinced that he was the best player in the entire draft.
I was convinced he was the best player. Look at that draft, there was a couple good players in there, but Morgan was the best.
Someone said to me after, 'you just said that right?' Did I say that about Nazem Kadri and number seven? No, he wasn't number one, but Morgan was."
The players selected ahead of him were Nail Yakupov, Ryan Murray, Alex Galchenyuk, and Griffin Reinhart.
Overall, it is easy to see how Burke would feel as though Rielly is the best player there. When all is said and done, a re-draft would have Rielly go a lot higher.
Of course, Filip Forsberg and Andrei Vasilevskiy were also taken later in that draft and you would probably have them above the defenseman.
Either way, it is good to see an OG like Brian Burke come to Rielly's defense. If anyone needs defending right now, it is the Leafs assistant captain.
Hopefully, he can figure out what's wrong and get himself back on track especially with the playoffs coming soon.
