At the combine he was officially measured at 6'0.5", 199.8 lbs, which was about a month or so after his 18th birthday. If he's list at 6'1", 205 lbs now, it could be a slight exaggeration, but only slight. He does play a finesse game though, not someone who comes off as big and strong, even though he does have solid size/strength.
The thing about Rielly is he's a serious physical specimen on top of being such a great skater with an elite skill level. Kid is a great athlete and very strong.
Rielly, Gardiner and Phaneuf in our top 4 is going to be pretty sweet if the two kids hit their upside.
Gunner in the #4 slot, hopefully with Finn and Blacker rounding out the top 6...
Yeah I did forget about him...he's most def right in the mix with Finn and Blacker...
I didn't expect the Leafs to draft Rielly because I thought he was too similar to Gardiner, expected Burke to go with the truculant Dumba...somebody pointed out that drafting another Jake or even possibly better version made sense, as this style of defender is the most dominant in the current NHL...
Yeah I did forget about him...he's most def right in the mix with Finn and Blacker...
I didn't expect the Leafs to draft Rielly because I thought he was too similar to Gardiner, expected Burke to go with the truculant Dumba...somebody pointed out that drafting another Jake or even possibly better version made sense, as this style of defender is the most dominant in the current NHL...
You always hope they all pan out but I think Rielly, Finn, Percy are for sure, maybe not all with the leafs and for some reason I dont see Dion sticking around long term.
You always hope they all pan out but I think Rielly, Finn, Percy are for sure, maybe not all with the leafs and for some reason I dont see Dion sticking around long term.
I'm in the same boat as well. They way I see things, through my now cynical point of view, is that the Leafs will conitnue to suck, and Dion will be the whipping boy since he's captain and highest paid on the team...he will bolt for free agency in a couple years or Burke may trade him if he's unwilling to re-sign. Realistically speaking, he could find a much better situation for himself imho. This is all assuming the team doesn't turn things around...
Yeah I did forget about him...he's most def right in the mix with Finn and Blacker...
I didn't expect the Leafs to draft Rielly because I thought he was too similar to Gardiner, expected Burke to go with the truculant Dumba...somebody pointed out that drafting another Jake or even possibly better version made sense, as this style of defender is the most dominant in the current NHL...
I would have been happy if the Leafs drafted Dumba, but now looking back I am very happy Rielly slipped past the Habs and Isles. After Morgan's Can-Rus series, he brings a little more elite hockey smarts than what Reinhart or Galchenyuk show. Think we really got lucky and Burke was sincere when he said Rielly was his number 1. Right now, I would have to agree, I would take Rielly over Murray and Yakupov also. That's not hyperbole or being a homer, it is simply the truth.
I am most happy the Habs took Gally, should be a great rivalry, but reports on his play have not been too impressive since the summer US camp. I hope to catch him play live so I can judge for myself.
I'm in the same boat as well. They way I see things, through my now cynical point of view, is that the Leafs will conitnue to suck, and Dion will be the whipping boy since he's captain and highest paid on the team...he will bolt for free agency in a couple years or Burke may trade him if he's unwilling to re-sign. Realistically speaking, he could find a much better situation for himself imho. This is all assuming the team doesn't turn things around...
I have to disagree here, I think Dion will be invaluable to Matt, Morgan and Stu down the line. The guy I think might be dangled is Jake perhaps one day, but that is way down the line.
Dion, Rielly, Finn, and Percy could be one of the better top 4 combos in the near future.
Dion has not had much support here during his time, and he really has not played badly. Playing run and scramble with Komi, Lebda, Schenn, Kaberle, Liles for support couldn't have been easy. He could be a monster again with one of Percy, Finn, or Reilly. Having a vet is invaluable.
I would have been happy if the Leafs drafted Dumba, but now looking back I am very happy Rielly slipped past the Habs and Isles. After Morgan's Can-Rus series, he brings a little more elite hockey smarts than what Reinhart or Galchenyuk show. Think we really got lucky and Burke was sincere when he said Rielly was his number 1. Right now, I would have to agree, I would take Rielly over Murray and Yakupov also. That's not hyperbole or being a homer, it is simply the truth.
I am most happy the Habs took Gally, should be a great rivalry, but reports on his play have not been too impressive since the summer US camp. I hope to catch him play live so I can judge for myself.
I can't say I'd have passed on Yakupov or Galchenyuk...Rielly I like as much as anybody after those two comrades, certainly more than Reinhart and Murray.
I can't say I'd have passed on Yakupov or Galchenyuk...Rielly I like as much as anybody after those two comrades, certainly more than Reinhart and Murray.
Very unsold on Gally at this point, to clarify he has all the talent to make people drool, but his end results are not there yet. Yakupov has come back to the pack by last summer. Early B day too, Morgan later B day and missed almost a year. Could be close when all is said and done when both hit their peaks.
The comrade I like is Valery Nichushkin, was really impressed by him in that under 18 or 17, all I remember was Button was an analyst and I saw this big comrade power skate past defenders. Like him, more than Gally or Yaks. Peg him for one I am keeping an eye on next draft.
I don't see what everyone's fascination with size is.
Personally I think guys who are 5'10ish to 6'2(max) are usually the best skaters and players.
I am 6'7...not a great hockey player, but I am exceptionally clumsy.
There are rare exceptions to the rules...like Tyler Myers...but he had an awful season last year.
Guys who are bigger tend to be less mobile, take more time to make cuts and turns, and don't neccessarily have better overall puck skills...shooting and passing than guys who have lower centers of gravity.
I think Rielly will be just fine. I don't see him as a defensive juggernaut, but he is certainly more mobile and will certainly be more noticeable than Luke Schenn was. Schenn has one developed skill, he's big, but not very mobile, and not good with the puck.
Most HHOF defenseman are guys who are in the 5'10-6-2ish mold. Whether you start with Orr, Coffey, Lidstrom, Borque...etc.
Not saying Rielly will be a HHOFer...but I am saying he has ideal hockey size.
I have to disagree here, I think Dion will be invaluable to Matt, Morgan and Stu down the line. The guy I think might be dangled is Jake perhaps one day, but that is way down the line.
Dion, Rielly, Finn, and Percy could be one of the better top 4 combos in the near future.
Dion has not had much support here during his time, and he really has not played badly. Playing run and scramble with Komi, Lebda, Schenn, Kaberle, Liles for support couldn't have been easy. He could be a monster again with one of Percy, Finn, or Reilly. Having a vet is invaluable.
I am not suggesting that we should get rid of Dion, I'm saying he may want to ditch us if things don't go well in the next two seasons. Like you said he gets no respect here,I see him exploring free agency which would likely force Burke's hand, same for Kessel. This is prolly why I thought Burke would draft Dumba, he could replace some what Dion brings to the table, if he ever left.
I don't see what everyone's fascination with size is.
Personally I think guys who are 5'10ish to 6'2(max) are usually the best skaters and players.
I am 6'7...not a great hockey player, but I am exceptionally clumsy.
There are rare exceptions to the rules...like Tyler Myers...but he had an awful season last year.
Guys who are bigger tend to be less mobile, take more time to make cuts and turns, and don't neccessarily have better overall puck skills...shooting and passing than guys who have lower centers of gravity.
I think Rielly will be just fine. I don't see him as a defensive juggernaut, but he is certainly more mobile and will certainly be more noticeable than Luke Schenn was. Schenn has one developed skill, he's big, but not very mobile, and not good with the puck.
Most HHOF defenseman are guys who are in the 5'10-6-2ish mold. Whether you start with Orr, Coffey, Lidstrom, Borque...etc.
Not saying Rielly will be a HHOFer...but I am saying he has ideal hockey size.
I don't get people's fascination with height and how they figure it equates to tough? To me , seeing Reilly finish top 10 in grip, bench press and pull strength says a lot. If you were to get in a ring with someone with those three characteristics, there's a good chance that once he gets hold of you, he can rag doll you. I know that isn't his game but given he is seen more as an offensive dynamo, those other traits bode well for him.
Yeah I did forget about him...he's most def right in the mix with Finn and Blacker...
I didn't expect the Leafs to draft Rielly because I thought he was too similar to Gardiner, expected Burke to go with the truculant Dumba...somebody pointed out that drafting another Jake or even possibly better version made sense, as this style of defender is the most dominant in the current NHL...
You know they drafted more than North Americans, even drafted guys who were good enough to be on the best WJC team.
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Woodlief
using his big frame to create space and his skating ability to find open lanes to drive the net. He stands 6-3 and is a natural goal scorer with plenty of confidence.
He's a scout's dream in the way he prepares himself and plays an unselfish game, making smart decisions with the puck. With his bloodlines, he certainly understands what it will take to make it at the next level.
I can't say I'd have passed on Yakupov or Galchenyuk...Rielly I like as much as anybody after those two comrades, certainly more than Reinhart and Murray.
At the draft I was hoping we'd pick Forsberg. Now I would take Rielly over anyone other than Yakupov, Murray, and Galchenyuk.
Murray would be the perfect partner for Phaneuf, that pairing would dominate.
This must be his shape up or ship out year
