Maple Leafs sign Morgan Rielly to massive extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced this morning that they have re-signed defenceman Morgan Rielly to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.5 million.

Rielly, 27, has been a part of the Leafs organization since he was drafted fifth overall back in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The smooth-skating defender has been a very solid offensive contributor from the back end through his nine seasons with the Leafs, including his career best season in 2018-19 in which he scored 20 goals and 72 points in 82 contests. So far in 2021-22 he has recorded four assists in eight games.

This deal prevents Rielly from hitting free agency, as his contract was set to expire at seasons end. The $7.5 million AAV gives him a nice raise from his current $5 million salary, but is also not as lofty as the deals signed by Darnell Nurse, Seth Jones and Dougie Hamilton earlier this year.

While this is a deal that may end up ugly in the final two years, the Leafs' window is now and there is no doubt Rielly is worth it for the time being.

Rielly will have a full no-movement clause in the deal in years 1-6, which will then change to a 10-team NTC for the final two years of the contract.

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