Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Morgan Rielly To Eight-Year Extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Morgan Rielly to an eight-year extension. It will pay him $7.5 million per season and begin during the 2022-23 season.

Morgan Rielly signs an eight-year extension with the #leafs carrying a $7.5M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 29, 2021

Rielly was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. When looking at all of the huge contracts that have been handed out to defenseman over the last few months, this one is noticeably cheaper than most of them. With the Leafs' restricted cap space over the last few years, it seemed likely that Rielly could have left as a free agent. Now, they have their top defenseman locked up at a very reasonable cap hit for what he provides.

Rielly was drafted by the Leafs fifth overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he has played 580 games with the team, where he has 59 goals, 250 assists and 309 points. In eight games this season thus far, he has four assists.

Rielly's most dominant campaign occurred during the 2018-19 season. In 82 games, he scored 20 goals and recorded 72 points. If he can replicate those numbers in the future, this could become an even better contract for the Leafs.

Nonetheless, how do you all feel about the contract? Let us know in the comments!