Despite an overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday night, things have looked better overall for the Toronto Maple Leafs as of late, with a 4-0-2 record across their last six games.

But while the team has turned things around somewhat, the longest-tenured Leaf has continued to look poor. On Saturday, Morgan Rielly came up with another substandard defensive showing, finishing at -4 in the 4-3 overtime loss to the Islanders, logging 27:31 TOI.

Speaking to media after the game, head coach Craig Berube acknowledged Rielly’s recent struggles, but said he has faith in the veteran to get back on track.

“Tonight was a tough one,” Berube said, per The Hockey News’ David Alter. “I know that, but he’s played some really good hockey for us this year. I’m not worried about it. I think he’ll get back to the level he was at. I do believe that. That’s kind of where I’m at with it.”

Heading into this season, expectations were high on Rielly to elevate his game following a down year. In September, Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving shared that he had “a real honest chat” with Rielly following last season about playing to the level he’s capable of and Treliving said it was something Rielly “took to heart,” adding that what followed was a busy summer of training to push his game even further.

Rielly started off the season looking stronger offensively, and while he’s still on pace for 53 points this year, he has just four assists in last 12 games. And that’s to say nothing of his poor defensive performances as of late. Over the last six games, the Leafs boast a +8 goal differential, but Rielly is at -8 over that same stretch.

Rielly is currently on the fourth year of an eight-year agreement with an annual cap hit of $7.5 million. Locked in until he’s 36 years old, the Leafs would surely like to avoid seeing a decline in his play so early, especially with a salary of that size on the books. Having played in Toronto for nearly a decade, trade rumours have inevitably surrounded him from time to time, especially as the team looks to shake things up without many assets to deal. That being said, his large contract and no-move clause complicate the possibility of a deal.