See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source Morgan Rielly’s quest to quickly re-establish himself on the Maple Leafs’ defence has encountered an early setback. Toronto general manager John Chayka announced Wednesday that Rielly had a “viral condition” as training camp medicals were conducted.
“He’s working his way through that,” Chayka said. “Nothing to worry about, but he’ll be ramped up a little slower than we expect.” Chayka believes Rielly will be available opening night, Sept.
29 against the Montreal Canadiens, though the injury gives someone on the fringes of the Leafs blueline a chance in the four exhibition games. Rielly and Chayka had gone to great lengths during the summer to play down trade rumours following the long-serving Rielly’s worst season.
He was minus-18 with his fewest assists (24) in seven NHL seasons, no longer part of the first power-play unit or a steady compatible pairing. He had a list of mostly Western Conference destinations as part of a no-trade clause, but his age (32) and salary ($7.5 million US for another four years) are a hindrance.
But Rielly isn’t as bad off as another defenceman, William Villeneuve, the prospect who will miss another few months following reconstructive knee surgery after he had helped the Marlies win the Calder Cup. Cade Webber, the 6-foot-5 defender who played 33 games early last season for the Marlies, also will miss more time after elbow surgery.
Chayka was obligated to mention that winger Max Domi failed his physical on Wednesday, having previously announced he would not attend camp after complications for spring surgery to repair an unknown ailment. The GM is leaving it for Domi to detail his future with the media at a later date.
Lhornby@postmedia.com X: @sunhornby Why Gavin McKenna is set for the spotlight as his Maple Leafs career starts Why John Chayka needs Auston Matthews to be a happy camper with Leafs
