A recent report says the Maple Leafs can't fully rule out trading Morgan Rielly
Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have to weigh potentially trading Morgan Rielly if things don't improve in Toronto, according to a new report.
The longest tenured Leaf in defenseman Morgan Rielly could see himself exit Toronto after 13 seasons if the Leafs see themselves outside of the playoffs.
According to insider Chris Johnston, Toronto could potentially move on from Rielly and/or Brandon Carlo as shake-ups if things go south for the Leafs.
Johnston also added that Rielly's contract, $7.5M until 2030, includes a no-move clause, and Rielly doesn't have a desire to leave Toronto, but Johnston says that a deal can't be ruled out.
The Leafs leader in games played in the 21st century with 892, Rielly has been integral to Toronto for over a decade and a steady number one option of the team's defense in that span.
But with the Leafs dealing with uncertainty, currently outside of a playing spot, a new report indicates the potential of moving Rielly isn't impossible.
Why the Leafs might be hesitant to even consider trading Morgan Rielly
The Leafs trading Rielly would be a challenge from the standpoint that he's such an important part of Toronto's defense as their main puck-mover and power play quarterback, but is also their longest tenured defenseman.
The senior member of the Leafs lineup, Rielly leaving would be a major culture shake for Toronto, but part of the reason the team might consider trading him if hypothetically they were going to.
Trading Rielly would not only be a potential bolster for the Leafs lineup, but a message to the team enforcing that the Leafs are set on embracing a new identity.
If the Leafs do indeed struggle and look at trading Rielly as Johnston suggests, it could be a move that sets up Toronto long-term.
how a hypothetical Morgan Rielly trade could factor adding a top-six forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs could leverage Morgan Rielly in order to improve the Leafs roster and add some much needed top-end talent.
Toronto has been linked in reports to a potential top-six forward, and Rielly could be moved for cap space, although two pressing issues exist.
The first is what the value of Rielly is. As a 31-year-old signed until 2030, will teams be comfortable with that contract? With a rising cap it may help Toronto more than it would've without the cap ceiling going up.
Second is filling Rielly's spot next. The Leafs could try to fill both their top-six hole and add a replacement top-four LHD, it'd be tricky, but not impossible.
For Toronto, Morgan Rielly being traded embracing yet another new identity, and one that changes the culture of the team that has existed since the current incarnation of the Leafs this decade.
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