After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. It looks like Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly is set to become a father. In an Instagram post submitted on Tuesday by Rielly’s wife, retired Olympic dancer Tessa Virtue, the couple are expecting the arrival of their first child – a joyful new chapter in their lives off the ice. “Some snaps from my favorites folder from a few weeks back,” Virtue captioned the post. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C7hEVIxOF3u[/embed] The carousel on Instagram reveals the two enjoying a beach vacation following the end of the Leafs season a few weeks ago, before showcasing a couple of images announcing the news [https://x.com/tavkniesnythews/status/1795475526649311243] of Virtue and Rielly becoming parents-to-be. Under the post, fans took to the comment section to express their excitement with congratulatory messages to the couple. “Could not be happier for you two,” one commenter stated. “Congratulations! Wishing you both all the best,” another said. Rielly, 30, and Virtue, 35, got married in 2023 and have shared a rather notable low-profile, private relationship, but have nonetheless emerged as a fan-favorite couple across Leafs nation. One common theme we have seen in the NHL is the ‘dad strength’ seen from NHLers who have a child midway through the season. Some examples include most recently, Brandon Carlo of the Boston Bruins and Brandon Montour of the Florida Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals – both of which went on to play incredibly well following the birth of their children. The timeline for baby Rielly-Virtue remains to be seen, but the Leafs’ number one defenseman could set for another outstanding season as a new Dad on the scene following his seven-goal, 58-assist 2023-24 campaign. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs Teammates Weigh in on Bobby McMann’s Maine Vacation Post [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-teammates-weigh-in-on-bobby-mcmanns-maine-vacation-post] Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson Posts About Brother Jason’s Hat Trick Following Stars Big Playoff Win Against Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-nick-robertson-posts-about-brother-jasons-hat-trick-following-stars-big-playoff-win-against-oilers] Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Picks Up Two Assists to Help London Knights Remain Undefeated at the Memorial Cup [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-prospect-easton-cowan-picks-up-two-assists-to-help-london-knights-remain-undefeated-at-the-memorial-cup] News from THN.com Dallas Stars' Playoff Success Stems From Their Shot Blocking Prowess [https://thehockeynews.com/news/dallas-stars-playoff-success-stems-from-their-shot-blocking-prowess] Can Sheldon Keefe Take the Devils to the Next Level? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/can-sheldon-keefe-take-the-devils-to-the-next-level] How Connor McDavid's Overtime Went from Double Trouble to Oilers Heroics [https://thehockeynews.com/news/how-connor-mcdavids-overtime-went-from-double-trouble-to-oilers-heroics]
