Leafs sign Rielly to 8-year, $60M extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Morgan Rielly to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.5 million, the team announced Friday.

Rielly received a no-movement clause for the first six years of the deal, while the final two seasons include a 10-team no-trade clause, reports Chris Johnston of TSN.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire career with Toronto since being taken with the No. 5 pick in the 2012 draft. He's the longest-tenured player on the Leafs' roster.

"There's a reason why the organization has gone through a number of changes over the years but he's the one guy that's lasted," head coach Sheldon Keefe said of his No. 1 defenseman, according to David Alter of The Hockey News.

Rielly was scheduled for unrestricted free agency at season's end. He's been a part of all Toronto's playoff failures in recent years, but he wants to see the team's mission through.

"Faith goes both ways," Rielly said, per Alter. "I believe in the group we have here and the people we have in our locker room. I think for the team to offer me that notion of faith is special, too. I look forward to holding up my end of the bargain of trying to accomplish the ultimate goal."

When Rielly's new contract kicks in next season, the Maple Leafs will allocate 58.9% of their salary cap to five players: Rielly, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

Rielly's registered 309 points in 580 career games with Toronto. He's collected four assists in eight games while averaging over 24 minutes per night to start the 2021-22 campaign.

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