Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly Gets Called 'Weak Defender'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit Kumar | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 3:38 PM ET

Criticism is growing around Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly after a blunt assessment from Leafs Nation's analyst Zack Phillips.

Speaking on The Leafs Nation, Phillips questioned Rielly’s defensive play and effort during a demanding stretch of the season. He suggested the heavy schedule may be wearing Rielly down, but did not soften his evaluation.

"I don't know if it's just the scheduling and how much these guys are playing in such a short period of time this season, which I know every team is going through right now, but in particular, Morgan Reilly looks like he's having a tough, tough, tough time dealing with this," Phillips said.

"Morgan Reilly looks behind the play, he looks slow, he looks lost, he looks like he can't play defensively. He's not contributing offensively. He's a weak defender. He can't win battles in front of the net."

"Morgan Rielly looks behind the play. He looks slow. He looks lost."@zackphill bluntly assesses Morgan Rielly's recent play and struggles defensively

Presented by @bet365ca #NeverOrdinary #bet365 pic.twitter.com/XaYdITbLnS
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) January 18, 2026

One example highlighted was a goal by Nino Niederreiter, where Rielly lost positioning and a physical battle. Niederreiter scored early in the third period in the Leafs' 4-3 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.

Phillips noted that while other mistakes led to the play, Rielly was beaten cleanly at the net. He stressed this was not an isolated moment, calling it the second straight game where Rielly was spun off and scored against in tight.

"This is back-to-back games right now, where Morgan Reilly loses positioning and loses a physical battle in front of your net, where a guy just spins off of him and scores." Phillips said.

Statistically, Rielly’s season has been inconsistent. Through 47 games, he has six goals and 23 assists while averaging over 21 minutes per night. His negative 14 rating reflects broader defensive issues for Toronto, but the eye test has fueled criticism. Rielly continues to face top competition and heavy defensive-zone usage.

Toronto’s overall season has followed a similar pattern. The Leafs sit 24-16-8, sixth in the Atlantic Division, with strong scoring but inconsistent defense. They allow over three goals per game and struggle to protect leads. Injuries and shifting lineups have added pressure on the blue line.

Homestand starts tonight! pic.twitter.com/lXc3mNTPwZ
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 19, 2026

The spotlight will remain on Rielly as Toronto opens a five-game homestand Monday against the Minnesota Wild. With playoff positioning on the line, Rielly’s response may shape the conversation around his role moving forward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: