Leafs players are campaigning HARD to get Rielly into the All-Star Game

Maple Leafs players are campaigning HARD to get Morgan Rielly into the All-Star Game

It’s always nice to have a little help from your friends.

As fan voting for the NHL All-Star Last Men In comes down to the wire, the loudest voices campaigning for Morgan Rielly might just be those of his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates.

The final roster spot in each division is still up for grabs, so on Wednesday night members of the Maple Leafs bombarded social media with videos in an effort to send their blueliner to San Jose, alongside Auston Matthews and John Tavares.

“What more could you want from him?” Great question, Zach.
@mriles4 is rolling this season and it’s up to us, Leafs Nation, to send him to #NHLAllStar Weekend.

Voting is easy and you can cast 10 ballots per day. Get voting now >> https://t.co/6YShBYoG4C pic.twitter.com/CeUE6tjzDl

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 10, 2019

Auston Matthews just pointed to Rielly’s highlight reel…

“Man this guy’s good.”

You said it, Auston 🙌

Let’s go, Leafs Nation. Vote Mo to the #NHLAllStar Game >> https://t.co/6YShBYoG4C pic.twitter.com/SW4GbI40F1

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 10, 2019

Former Sharks forward Patrick Marleau believes Mo simply deserves some of that San Jose sunshine…

He’s ninth all-time in NHL games played so you better listen to Patty.

We need all of Leafs Nation to vote and help send @mriles4 to enjoy some sunshine down south at #NHLAllStar Weekend.

Voting closes at midnight tomorrow so don’t wait!

👉 https://t.co/6YShBYoG4C pic.twitter.com/CaeAYek2Z1

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 10, 2019

While Jake Gardiner and Mitch Marner focused on his “great big man body.”

Piloting their new talk show (or should we say talk shoe), Mitch and Jake share their thoughts on why Mo should go to #NHLAllStar Weekend.

We’re not going to let other teams outvote us, are we Leafs Nation? Get your 10 votes in before midnight >> https://t.co/6YShBYoG4C pic.twitter.com/AT4x9zztdx

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 10, 2019

The support for Rielly even crossed over sport lines as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam issued his vote of confidence for the young defenceman.

Gotta support the family @MapleLeafs.

Help Mo go to #NHLAllStar Weekend 👉🏽 https://t.co/DzJbLUl9qw #WeTheNorth x #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Kv1OKxzXUI

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 8, 2019

Although the volume of videos might be in question, Rielly’s deservedness to be at the All-Star game is not.

The 24-year old is having a career year wearing the white and blue. He started the season with a bang by amassing 12 points in his first five games, breaking Bobby Orr’s long-standing record for most points by a defenceman in that span to start a season. He hasn’t looked back since.

He currently leads all defencemen in goals (13), is second in points (45), and tied for third amongst all skaters in plus/minus (+26). His plus/minus rating is perhaps his biggest improvement as he had a negative rating each of his first five campaigns of his NHL career.

Rielly’s steady play has been noted by analysts as well and they have him leading the race for the Norris Trophy, given to the league’s best defenceman, through the midway mark of the regular season.

When it comes to the Last Men In vote, Rielly has some stiff competition on the Atlantic Division ballot. Strong cases can be made for Patrice Bergeron (Bruins), Brayden Point (Lightning), Shea Weber (Canadiens), and Jeff Skinner (Sabres). Then again, they’re missing an army of Leafs fans in their corner.

Also included on the Atlantic ballot is Mark Stone (Senators), Dylan Larkin (Red Wings) and Aleksander Barkov (Panthers).

The end result of who goes to All-Star Weekend is completely up to the fans, so if you would like to see Rielly head to San Jose, head on over to nhl.com/vote before it is too late.

Voting ends tonight, January 10, at 11:59 pm ET.

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