By Nhl Trade Talk

Copyright yardbarker

Playing in Toronto has long been seen as a tough ask for many NHL players. The pressure to play in the ‘center of the hockey universe’ comes with expectations and additional scrutiny that not every NHL market brings. It’s one of the reasons Mitch Marner ultimately left.

However, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, the longest-tenured player on the roster, isn’t buying into the idea that playing in Toronto brings an overwhelming level of pressure compared to other NHL cities.

In a recent interview, Rielly dismissed the often-repeated narrative. “Yes! (Garbage). I would agree… I think it is nonsense,” he said when asked about whether Toronto players face more pressure than others. For Rielly, pressure isn’t about fan expectations or media scrutiny, but about the internal drive to win and perform.

“There’s pressure playing for every single team that comes from within,” Rielly explained. “Everyone is trying to win, everyone is trying to keep their job when it comes to management putting together the best team, and if you are not the best team, guys get fired and have to find new jobs—and nobody wants that.”