TORONTO — Did we just watch Morgan Rielly’s final skate in front of a Toronto home crowd with a Maple Leaf on his chest?
“It’s crossed my mind before,” the longest-tenured Leaf admitted to reporters Monday, prior to his 950th game for the club that drafted him fifth-overall in 2012.
“All athletes, you know, have, that at some point — they think about that. And tonight’s no different than that.”
Rielly is unique in that he is the only member of this particularly disappointing version of the Leafs who can remember what missing the playoffs in this town feels like.
He knows how a tank year tastes. What a rebuild smells like.
Conversely, he understands when the group is clicking on all cylinders and playoffs come easy and the contagious thrill of believing for real.
The defenceman admits the unravelling of the Leafs over the course of 2025-26 has been tough to digest. And Game 950 wasn’t much different.
Rielly and the Leafs blew a 3-0 first-period lead and a 5-3 third-period lead to the Dallas Stars, a true Cup contender. They lost 6-5, got outshot 32-27, and Rielly finished with another dash beside his name. (His minus-18 rating is his worst in nine years.)
“He’s one of the most selfless teammates I’ve ever had,” John Tavares said. “The way he handles himself day to day, the way he puts the team first, and how much he cares about each and every individual. And you talk about the level of hockey he’s played for an extended period of time.
“Where we’re at this season, I think it’s pretty obvious everyone’s got to look themselves in the mirror, and we have to be a whole lot better. I mean, we didn’t come close to where we wanted to get to. So, that’s on everyone. I know he’s the first guy to put his hand in the air saying, I gotta be better.”
When things slide this sideways — the defending regular-season Atlantic Division champs will finish somewhere between 26th and 28th overall — everything comes under question.
Some people lose jobs. Some want out.
Others may very well get asked if they’d be open to moving their no-movement clause, to surrender power for the sake of a clean slate and fresh start. A chance to join an organization on the rise instead of loyally riding with one on the decline.
Like Dion Phaneuf before him, a 32-year-old Rielly still has value in this league. The suggestion of a buyout is silly and would simply be poor asset management. But like Phaneuf, Rielly is miscast as a true do-it-all, top-pair defenceman.
That doesn’t mean Rielly can’t contribute second-pair minutes, run a second power play, be a fine example to young teammates, and chip in 40-some points in sheltered minutes for a strong team.
But if the Maple Leafs wish to keep Rielly in the fold and contend, they’ll need to add to the top end of their aging defence corps this summer.
“I hope for the Leafs’ sake that’s not his last game. I love Mo,” ex-Leaf and current Star Michael Bunting said, predicting a bounce back. “They have the firepower and the team to do it.”
Ultimately, Rielly himself will have a major say over whether he sees more home dates at Scotiabank Arena. As will the Leafs’ unknown next head of hockey operations.
It’s notable that the MLSE president did not name Rielly when he listed the “foundational players” that can help get his hockey team back on track next season.
Still, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in Toronto’s room who has poured more of his heart into Leafs Nation.
What does being a Maple Leaf mean to Rielly?
“Everything,” coach Craig Berube said. “He’s been here a long time, and he loves it here. I don’t think he can think about being anywhere else.”
And yet, the notion that this might be the end — after 950 games, 549 points, 13 years, and 11 playoff series — has at least crossed the player’s mind.
“It’s an outstanding place to play and a great place to live,” Rielly said, before saluting the faithful.
“This organization means a lot to a lot of people. And so, to be a part of it, it’s an honour. And I don’t believe that’s lost on anyone in here.”
• It took 23 games, but Jacob Quillan has his first NHL goal… thanks to a crease crash and a nifty wrap-around assist by Steven Lorentz.
Quillan says he’ll put the puck in Grandpa’s room.
“Kinda blacked out a little bit. I got a little nervous that I was gonna get called kicking but put my hands up in the air. Felt good,” said Quillan, who is a pending RFA.
“Hopefully make the team next year.”
• Marlies call-up Ryan Tverberg — a seventh-round pick — finally made his NHL debut at age 24.
The Richmond Hill, Ont., native concedes that, at times, he thought he’d never make the show.
“A lot of hardships. But in the end, it’ll feel pretty good,” Tverberg, a lifelong Leafs fan, told reporters at morning skate. “For it to be nice and close to home, it’s just awesome. Just to get here at this point, with the organization for so long, definitely a lot of hours put in.”
Berube said Tverberg’s excitement on Monday was hard-earned after overcoming multiple injuries early in his pro journey.
“Great story, right?” Berube said. “His speed and tenacity are what drive him.”
• A trio of ex-Leafs executives will select and guide Team Canada’s roster at the upcoming IIHF world championships in May.
Toronto’s recently fired GM, Brad Treliving, will lead the management group alongside Jason Spezza, while Scott Salmond and Pittsburgh president Kyle Dubas will provide support. (As long as the Penguins are in the playoffs, however, Dubas’s top priority will be his club team.)
“Brad brings invaluable experience from previous international events and the NHL, and Jason is a rising NHL executive that brings a wealth of experience as a player both professionally and internationally, and we are excited that these two will lead our team,” Salmond said.
Circle Dubas as a strong candidate to GM Canada’s World Cup team in 2028 now that Doug Armstrong has stepped aside.
• Joseph Woll is a big fan of Artur Akhtyamov, who has competed hard in his two-plus NHL games thus far but is still seeking a W.
“I love his game. I think he’s sick. So, it’s pretty cool, from my perspective, to watch him,” Woll said. “He’s got that Russian swagger to him.
“I love watching guys like Shesterkin, Sorokin, Vasi, Bob. And he’s got that same kind of vibe to him. And he’s quick.”
• The legendary Joe Bowen called his final home game at Scotiabank Arena, but word is the play-by-play maestro will be in Ottawa to call Game 82 on Wednesday.
Bowen was brought to tears in the booth when he was honoured in the third period with a prolonged standing ovation. John Tavares made certain the Maple Leafs saluted Bowen before they skated off the ice.
“He’s the man. I’m really happy for him and his family. What a career for one of the first people to come to mind when you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs. So, it’s unfortunate that this is the year he had to go out on, but I wish him the best.” Max Domi said.
“It’s great to see him up top there get emotional like that. Obviously, this fan base loves him. We all love him as players, and we’re very lucky to be able to play in games that he calls. He’s just a humble human being. So, we’re going to miss him.”
You touched ’em all, Joe.
