NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – The odd offseason phone call from the head coach isn’t unusual for members of the Maple Leafs.



Most are friendly check-ins – “How’s the family?” and what not. Morgan Rielly was on the golf course one time when his phone went off. “He tells you hit ‘em straight, he hangs up the phone,” Rielly said.



But Babcock had news during the first week of July this past summer. He wanted to let Rielly know that his defensive partner for the upcoming season would be Ron Hainsey, the 36-year-old the club had just signed in free agency.



An American who started his career with the Montreal Canadiens, Hainsey will be the latest in a long line of partners for Rielly in Toronto.



Though he’s played only four seasons and 312 regular season games, Rielly has been paired with 10 different players, an odds and ends group that includes everyone from Jake Gardiner to Tim Gleason and Stephane...